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Cavalier, Faulkland fail to grab opportunities
March 21, 2023
Cavalier and Faulkland were left to lament missed opportunities after they battled to a 2-2 draw in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex last night.
Cavalier missed a chance to go top of the league, while Faulkland surrendered a late goal and failed to lessen the relegation-battle gap.
Jelani Nicholson fired Faulkland into a surprised lead against their more fancied opponents in the 15th minute.
Cavalier surged forward in search of the equaliser but failed to take advantage of several openings.
They continued where they left off in the second half, and Dwayne Atkinson tied the game with a smashing free kick from approximately 25 yards.
However, Faulkland were always dangerous on the break, and in the 70th minute, Ravel Thomas latched on to a ball over the top and lobbed goalkeeper Jaedine White for them to reclaim the lead.
The Montego Bay-based Faulkland continued to have good chances in transition but Cavalier eventually equalised when Colin Anderson laid off the ball for Ronaldo Robinson, who slotted past David Swaby in goal from 12 yards.
"Really disappointed," said Rudolph Speid, coach of Cavalier, who stayed second on 37 points, one behind leaders Arnett and one ahead of third-place Mount Pleasant.
"I thought we did enough to win, but Faulkland also did enough to get the draw. We showed a lot of resilience to tie the game because they really defended properly," he noted.
"We missed a good opportunity to go top of the league, but this happens with these types of games when teams are battling for their lives."
Faulkland coach Gregory Palmer said they failed to concentrate for 90 minutes.
"You have to concentrate. It is a game of two halves but we lapsed in concentration and let in a late goal. That is something we have to work on," Palmer said.
"It is always good to go to away games and get a point. The three points would have done us wonders, but it is in our hands, and we have seven games to go."
Faulkland moved to 10 points, five behind 12th-place Vere. The bottom two teams will be relegated from the league.
In the day's other match at the same venue, Molynes United defeated Chapelton Maroons 3-1.
