Latest News
Mount Pleasant, Arnett set for mammoth clash
January 17, 2025
In a clash between first and second in the Wray and Nephew-sponsored Jamaica Premier League (JPL), league leaders Mount Pleasant Football Academy will welcome Arnett Gardens to Drax Hall Sports Complex for match week 18 action on Sunday.
Mount Pleasant currently have 40 points and will be hoping to extend their lead. The Theodore Whitmore-led unit has been running rampant in the league this season, also leading the goalscoring charts with 44 goals, 13 of which came within their last three games.
They come into the fixture off a 3-2 win over Racing United FC, but are confident they can put in a better result against the Junglists.
Shaqueil Bradford, one of Mount Pleasant's leading players this season, said the team is focused on reaching their points target set for each round.
"We have our objectives, our points range that we want to reach round by round, and we're on it," the striker stated.
However, coming into their next match, Mount Pleasant are aware that they will face tough opponents who are still within touching distance in the league standings.
Arnett, with 37 points, would pull level with Mount Pleasant, should they win. The Junglists are coming off an important 1-0 win against Montego Bay United in their last outing, and have leapfrogged the team from the west in the standings.
They also boast the best defensive record this season, conceding 10 goals, which head coach Xavier Gilbert said is a major plus for his team. He explained that once his players are able to get on the scoresheet, then he is confident his defence can secure a good result.
"Defensively, I think we're one of the better teams in terms of conceding goals in the league. We know that, once we score, we have the personnel to defend. So it is always important for us to get on the scoresheet."
Also in action on the day, Vere Phoenix will be looking to return to winning ways when they play host to Waterhouse at Wembley Centre of Excellence.
Vere Phoenix were clipped 2-0 by Portmore United in their last outing and the Clarendon-based team will be wary of dropping any more points, to avoid risking a relegation fight.
For Waterhouse, the objective will be to claim all three points, as they are without a win in four games. They were edged 1-0 by Tivoli Gardens in their last outing, which extended their winless run to two draws and two defeats.
At Ferdie Neita Park, Portmore United will line up against a downtrodden Harbour View squad in their Sunday afternoon fixture. A win for Portmore would see them leapfrogging Cavalier, who will not be in action until Monday, up to fourth in the standings.
On the other hand, Harbour View are entrenched in a relegation fight, sitting 13th in the standings and just two points above the foot of the table. The Stars of the East are still waiting for their first win in 10 games, and hoping a statement win against Portmore could turn their season around.
All games are set to kick off at 3 p.m.
