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Atkinson heroics lifts Cavalier past Police FC
August 30, 2024
It was the Dwayne Atkinson show in last night's Concacaf Caribbean Cup fixture between Cavalier FC and Police FC as the little maestro led the charge in Cavalier's 4-1 victory at Sabina Park last night.
Atkinson, a second-half substitute, bagged a brace and an assist to go along with teammate Shaquille Stein's brace to seal the victory for the Jamaica Premier League champions.
Kevon Woodley scored the consolation goal for Trinidadian outfit Police FC.
Cavalier head coach Rudolph Speid said Atkinson's cameo was a decision made at halftime as the player is still recovering from an injury.
"He's still recovering from an injury he sustained in training about three or four weeks ago," Speid said. "He didn't play at all before today but at halftime I asked him how much he could give, and he said about 35 or 40 minutes."
Cavalier started the game with the ascendancy as they opened the scoring in the 23rd minute off the boot of Stein.
However, the lead would not last long as Woodley's diving header pulled his team level just 10 minutes later.
Despite carving out half chances throughout the game, Cavalier would be bereft of quality scoring chances until the introduction of Atkinson.
With only a few minutes gone since his introduction, Atkinson would show his class as he played in Stein, who finished from close range for his second goal of the night.
Provider-turn-talisman Atkinson then led a brilliant solo effort on the counter as he outpaced his marker and finished at the near post for Cavalier's third in the 77th minute.
Atkinson would end his night on a high by scoring his team's fourth goal just before the final whistle.
Lurking on the edge of the box in time added, Atkinson volleyed home after a clearance from a corner by the Police defence.
Police FC's head coach Wendell Joseph said after a good first half his players lost their shape.
"I believe tactically we were off, more than physically," he explained. "We started to get caught out of position and as a result we lost the game."
The win sees Cavalier move three points clear atop Group A with six points from two games, while Police FC sit fourth in the group with a single point.
Mount Pleasant have three points from two matches, while Arnett Gardens lost their only game, against Mount Pleasant
