JPL Best and Worst Week 8

Best

Tivoli Gardens

Tivoli Gardens followed up their first win of the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) season with the biggest scalp of their campaign so far, defeating the league leaders Mount Pleasant 3-1, thanks to a Stephen Barnett brace. Getting past the last undefeated team in the league is no small feat, and should give confidence in the rebuild that Tivoli has had to undertake. They will be challenged again when they face second-place Waterhouse on Saturday.

Dunbeholden

When Dunbeholden saw their strong start halted by Waterhouse in that 3-1 defeat on January 30, they responded with a win over Molynes United the following week. After being clipped by Arnett last week, Dunbeholden once again ensured that the setback was short, defeating defending champions Cavalier 2-1. They are now on 16 points, one point behind Waterhouse, Arnett, and Mount Pleasant, who are in a three-way tie on points (17) for the top spot. For reference, it is more than they amassed in last year's shortened campaign (14) when they missed the play-offs. They could be the surprise package, not only for a top-two spot, but the number one seed itself.

Waterhouse

The biggest beneficiary of Mount Pleasant's unbeaten run ending is Waterhouse, who defeated Harbour View 2-0. While still in second, they are only separated by goals scored, as they are equal in goal difference. However, they can have goalkeeper Kemar Foster to thank for a strong goalkeeping display to preserve the clean sheet and get back in the win column after a three-game winless streak. They will have to be wary of their next opponents, Tivoli Gardens, who defeated the league leaders Mount Pleasant.

Arnett Gardens

Arnett Gardens managed a second-half turnaround to beat Molynes United 2-1 to not only extend their unbeaten streak to seven games, but to put themselves in a three-way tie on points for the top spot in the league (17). With Mount Pleasant losing to Tivoli Gardens, Arnett now have the longest active unbeaten run in the league so far (seven games). They are firmly asserting themselves as serious title challenges after eight games. It is fitting that Arnett's next opponents will be Mount Pleasant, in a match that could be a prelude to a semi-final meeting down the road. It also sees Arnett head coach Paul Davis facing his previous employers.

Worst

Mount Pleasant

The last unbeaten team in the JPLeague this season has finally fallen. Mount Pleasant was stunned by Tivoli Gardens in a game that interim head coach Walter Downes says that they lacked the physicality to keep up with the west Kingston club. While they still lead the table, it is only by the goals-scored tiebreaker, and with wins for Waterhouse and Arnett, are in a three-way tie on points 17. How they respond will be key to how the battle for the number one seed will play out.

Harbour View

Harbour View had numerous chances to break through the Waterhouse defence in their 2-0 defeat last weekend. The only reason they were kept at bay was with a strong goalkeeping performance by Waterhouse goalkeeper Kemar Foster. It will mean little to the Stars of the East as they are in eighth place with nine points. They have only won twice in their last five games. They face Vere United on Saturday, another team struggling to find their way with an opportunity to give them a necessary push up the table.

Montego Bay United

A change in the coaching staff has not yet had the immediate desired effect for Montego Bay United. Ricky Hill may no longer be at the club, but their struggles have continued. They have now lost four of their last five games and are on a three-game losing streak. They will be fortunate that no relegation exists this season, as they would have been early candidates to return to the lower tier. The club will now have to start over to get themselves being competitive. They face Humble Lion, who have not won a game this season, this weekend, but have accumulated more points in their last four games (four) than Montego Bay have (zero).