Nelson lifts Dunbeholden to big win

by

February 19, 2024

Photo

Waterhouse defender Christopher Matthews (back) heads the ball away from Arnett Garden’s striker Fabian Reid during their Jamaica Premiere League football match at Drewsland Stadium yesterday. The game drew 0-0.

Nicholas Nelson came off the bench and provided a hat-trick of assists to lead Dunbeholden to a big 4-1 win over bottom-of-the-table Lime Hall in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) at Drax Hall yesterday.

The result temporarily placed the St Catherine-based Dunbeholden into sixth with 27 points; however, they were overtaken by Waterhouse, who drew 0-0 with Arnett later in the day.

Coach Lenworth Hyde and captain Ricardo Thomas were left singing the praise of their top striker, who made the difference after coming on with 20 minutes left and the score locked at 1-1.

Dwight Merrick fired Dunbeholden in front after combining with fellow Mount Pleasant loanee Marlon Allen, but Dario Stewart equalised with a spectacular free kick in the 65th minute.

However, three minutes from regular time, Nelson got by his marker and set up Thomas from eight yards.

Then, in the first minute of added time, he set up Alex Gayle, who netted from a similar range to Thomas.

The tricky forward delivered the ball for Thomas to net his second and Dunbeholden's fourth of the afternoon.

"He's our top striker, and we need to get him to focus and train harder because he can go places. We are insisting on him to continue working hard and bring the team with him and see how far we can go in this championship," commented Hyde.

Waterhouse unseated Dunbeholden in sixth after their 0-0 draw with Arnett.

Hyde added: "We have to try and win the games coming up, but it is what we do at training to build the vibes with this new team."

Thomas, who was named Man of the Match, added: "Nicholas is a great player. I am very thankful for those two assists. It is my first two goals this season, and these three points mean a lot to the team, so we are very grateful," he said.

Lime Hall technical director Vanny Clarke said they were not good enough on the day.

"We had some good moments, but we had one or two things that happened that forced us to make some tactical adjustments we probably wouldn't want to make. We didn't do as much as we wanted in the attacking third," he said.

Lime Hall remain rooted at the foot of the standing with seven points, while Dunbeholden are seventh on goal difference behind Waterhouse on 27 points each.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com