Cavalier’s Atkinson aims for second JPL title

Dwayne 'Busy' Atkinson scored his sixth and probably most important goal of the Wray and Nephew Jamaica Premier League (JPL) season when he grabbed the opening goal for Cavalier against Arnett Gardens in their return leg semi-final at Sabina Park on Sunday.

With the tie balanced at 1-1 after the first leg, it was clear that in a game of fine margins, the first goal in the return leg would be crucial.

The match was only 15 minutes old when Atkinson put the ball in the back of the net from the penalty spot to give Cavalier a 1-0 lead on the day and a 2-1 lead on aggregate.

An Adrian Reid stunner in the sixth minute of added time at the end of the first half then gave last season's beaten finalists the perfect 2-0 cushion going into the interval, which rendered the stoppage-time goal by Keith Simpson in the 94th minute, a mere consolation for Waterhouse as the game ended 3-2 on aggregate to Cavalier.

Atkinson was only 19 years old when he won the title with Cavalier in 2021 and having gained valuable experience overseas playing in Iceland last year, he is hoping that the lessons learnt in Europe will come in handy when they go up against Mount Pleasant FA in the final for a second season running.

The designated penalty taker for Cavalier revealed that he was confident when he stepped up to take the spot kick against the Arnett Gardens goalkeeper, Eric Edwards.

SILENCE CROWD

He also suggested that scoring first was important for Cavalier to silence the vociferous Arnett Gardens fan base.

"Well, it was really important for us to take the lead over Arnett, who have a large fan base," Atkinson noted.

While expressing confidence ahead of Sunday's showdown against the reigning champions, Atkinson was mindful of the threat they pose.

"Well, I am very confident of victory, but as you can see Mount Pleasant is a very good team, so I have to put in a lot of work with the boys and just stay focused for this one," said the diminutive winger.

Last year's stinging loss in the final has motivated Cavalier all season, and more so for Atkinson and his teammate Richard King, who were both playing for Vestmannaeyjar FC in Iceland this time last year.

They both missed the final and are delighted to have the opportunity to rectify last year's loss.

PAINFUL

Atkinson admitted that it was painful to watch from afar and not be able to help Cavalier, and is now ready to claim his second JPL title come Sunday.

"I have no words to describe how I felt last year, not being able to help my teammates, but I was playing for another team in another league at that time. This season we have worked hard, and we have been dedicated to what we want for the championship.

"It would mean a lot for me and my teammates to win this season, because there is a lot of talk going around that Cavalier won the JPL in 'Corona time', so winning this one would be fantastic," he explained.

Surprisingly, Atkinson says he would have preferred to play the final at Sabina Park.

"I would have preferred to play the final at Sabina Park instead of the National Stadium, because it's a better pitch than stadium."

The 22-year-old is preparing to put on a show in the final with the hopes of securing another overseas contract at the end of it all.

"I think an outstanding performance in the final could help me to secure another overseas contract, so I want to deliver for my team," he acknowledged.

Cavalier and Mount Pleasant will do battle in the JPL final inside the National Stadium on Sunday, starting at 6:30 p.m.