JPL Best and Worst Week 5

BEST

Nicholas Nelson

OUT OF all the teams to have ended Waterhouse's perfect start to the season, Molynes United would not have been likely candidates after losing their last three and entering as the bottom club in the league. But they caused the shock of the round, thanks to a wonder strike from captain Nicholas Nelson and his play in the midfield in their 2-0 win, also setting up the second for striker Trivante Stewart. It is their signature win of the season to date, and they could have another one as they face leaders Mount Pleasant this weekend.

Arnett Gardens

Unlike the last two games in which they failed to close out games in which they had the lead, Arnett Gardens managed to avoid similar complications in their 2-1 win over Vere United. It is now four games unbeaten for the Paul Davis-coached team, putting them in fourth place in the league and within touching distance of the top two places. It is a far better start to the season than 2021, but consistency will be key in becoming a team that can call themselves title challengers.

Cavalier

Defending champions Cavalier are starting to find form as they rattled off their second consecutive win of the season, leaving it late to defeat Harbour View 1-0. They are now in third place with nine points and are within striking distance of the top two teams, managing to recover well after back-to-back defeats. Now they just need to ensure that they solve their disciplinary problems to make sure persons do not get red cards so often, to keep their full 11 on the field.

JPL FANS

The fans will be returning to the league as the Government has approved fully vaccinated spectators for games at four approved venues going forward for the rest of the season. That should be a relief and a reward for persons who have not only managed to get themselves inoculated, but have been unable to support their team or the league for two years because of the pandemic.

WORST

Waterhouse

While no team can go perfect forever, few thought that Waterhouse's first defeat of the season would come at the hands of a club that was at the bottom of the standings at the start of the round. However, by the end of the match, the only shock was that Molynes United did not score more. They had chance after chance to make the scoreline embarrassing for Waterhouse. The silver lining is that an early reality check will give them the perspective they need to get things together.

Vere United

At this stage of the 2021 season, Vere United had won their third game in five tries and were vying for the top spot in the league. It has been a struggle for results since, as they slumped to their second straight defeat of the season, losing 2-1 to Arnett Gardens. The saving grace is that they have a game in hand, thanks to their postponed Week 4 fixture, and that they can still make up ground with some luck and better execution. But they have an in-form Cavalier to deal with this weekend.

Harbour View

They were the beneficiaries of a late goal that salvaged a point against Arnett Gardens last week. But they were forced to swallow their own medicine as a late goal doomed them in their 1-0 defeat to defending champions Cavalier. Harbour View weren't without their chances, as they had nine of their 11 shots on target, but no end product to write home about. They will need to improve their finishing to ensure that their young core can compete with the best of the league this season.

Richard King

Cavalier have to try and solve their disciplinary problems to ensure they can keep 11 men on the field. It is the second time in three weeks that Cavalier have had a player sent off, the latest being Richard King, getting his second yellow card for time-wasting in their 1-0 win over Vere United. It was quite unnecessary and now will leave technical director Rudolph Speid having to reshuffle his backline for their game against Vere United.