JPL Best and Worst Week 15

BEST

CHAPELTON MAROONS

Chapelton Maroons head coach Clovis De Oliveira said he needed at least three games to stamp his ideals on them while they are engulfed in a relegation battle. His words were prophetic as they got the result he desired, winning their first game since December 21, thanks to beating Tivoli Gardens 2-0 on Monday night. While they still have a far way to go, Chapelton have taken one step up the ladder to mount an escape.

HUMBLE LION

Back-to-back wins for Humble Lion have them in the middle of the pack in the playoff race. What has helped is that they have seen an improvement in their offensive and defensive performances over the last six games. They have only conceded three in that span and have scored eight goals. They are five points from first place, and maintaining this consistent form will boost their chances of entering the battle for the No 1 seed.

STEPHEN BARNETT

Dubeholden's Stephen Barnett has become a thorn in the side of Faulkland FC. His brace fuelled their 4-2 win over the weekend, and he has now scored three times against the Montego Bay-based club. The win was important in more ways than one as they kept hold of sixth place with 22 points, keeping their nearest challengers Waterhouse at bay by one point.

ARNETT GARDENS

By virtue of the league leaders Mount Pleasant dropping points with their 0-0 draw with Harbour View, the door was opened for Arnett Gardens to cut their lead, which they did thanks to a 2-1 win over Portmore United. Now they are just two points behind them for the overall seed, buoyed by their five-game unbeaten streak, which includes four consecutive wins.

WORST

COMPLAINTS ABOUT TURF AT FERDIE NEITA PARK

Despite Arnett Gardens defeating Portmore United, head coach Paul Davis was miffed, to say the least about the playing surface in the first game back at Ferdie Neita Park. Davis slammed the playing surface, saying that it was not conducive to play on, imploring that the league needs to be more mindful of where the games are held, to improve the standard of football in the country. It is a complaint that is not new, but it is concerning.

TIVOLI GARDENS

The frustrations about indecision in the final third are having implications in their recent results, and they are now winless in three games, highlighted by their 2-0 defeat to bottom club Chapelton Maroons. Thanks to their healthy points tally, they are not at risk for relegation and are still within range of a surge for the final playoff spots, but these issues have to be rectified to stop their slide.

FAULKLAND

Faulkland's 4-2 defeat to Dunbeholden will be worrying enough as they failed to capitalise on Vere United's loss and close the points gap on them as they fight to avoid the drop. They have now conceded 30 goals this campaign, the worst in the league, but now that Chapelton have returned to the win column, they are in danger of occupying the bottom spot in the league again.