Arnett, Mount Pleasant clash in JPL feature

by

October 16, 2024

Photo

Arnett Gardens defender Desandre Cunningham (left) looks on as Mount Pleasant’s Kimoni Bailey shoots to score the winner during their Concacaf Caribbean Cup Group A match at Sabina Park on August 27, 2024. Mount Pleasant won 2-1.

It has not been the best of starts by Arnett Gardens in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) this season, but coach Xavier Gilbert is looking to avoid any further setbacks when they square off against Mount Pleasant in the feature game of match day five, at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex at 7.30 p.m. today.

Gilbert said his team needs the three points, and are highly motivated for the contest.

"We need it. It is not the best start but it is not the worst either. We just have to give it our all and get something out of the game," he said.

He noted also that dropping points today would leave them in a more difficult position.

"That would mean chasing the pack. You want to stay in the hunt at all times. Times are going to come when you have a good run, it's for you to make use of it.

"Then times are going to come when you have your bad patch, and it's just to make sure you grind out results during those periods," Gilbert said.

Mount Pleasant are fourth in the table, behind Cavalier (10), Montego Bay (nine) and Harbour View (seven), but level on six points with Portmore and Waterhouse. Arnett Gardens are two points adrift on four points, the same as Humble Lion, Vere-Phoenix and Racing.

Arnett and Mount Pleasant met earlier this season in the Concacaf Caribbean Cup, which Mount Pleasant won 2-1 and Gilbert said he learned a lot from that defeat.

"We definitely have to do something different. We weren't successful a few weeks ago, and that means we are going to have to change some of the things we did.

"We are looking to be tighter in defence, have better possession and make better decisions in the final third. Hopefully, we can come out and execute," he stated.

Meanwhile, after their 4-0 mauling of Racing in their last match, Mount Pleasant remain perfect from two matches and are high on confidence heading into today's encounter.

Mount Pleasant hold the better head-to-head record but over the last two seasons the teams have been evenly matched with two wins, two draws and one defeat each in the JPL.

In the opening game of the double-header at the venue Chapelton Maroons take on Humble Lion in the Clarendon derby.

Chapelton have three points after one win from three games while Humble Lion have four points after four draws

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com