Clarendon to continue late charge for playoff spot

Chapelton Maroons will look to continue their late charge for a playoff spot in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) when they travel to the Edward Seaga Complex to face another playoff aspirant, Tivoli Gardens, starting at 3:30 p.m.

Chapelton created a major upset on Sunday when they ambushed league leaders Montego Bay United 3-1 at Turner’s Oval in the last round of matches.

The result pushed Chapelton to eighth with 38 points, just four points off Cavalier in the sixth and final playoff spot.

Chapelton coach Donovan Duckie said the win against MoBay was important in their effort to secure a first playoff berth for the club.

“It was important for us to garner the three points. It’s important to still make our push to top six. We lost some games on the road, but it is important for us to play in front of our home crowd, and we are preparing well to play against the teams.

“Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, but we are playing a season, and it’s important to be consistent,” he stated.

He noted that the last time they travelled to Tivoli, they had more than enough opportunities to take three points and that they intended to get it right this trip.

“The psychology direction that we are pushing, the mental toughness, and the level of competitiveness that we need to exhibit in the third round to make our push, it is there, and we are hungry. So we will keep on fighting.

“The last time we went there (Tivoli), we were just unfortunate. We were dismal in front of goal, but this time around, we will try to get it right,” he said.

Tivoli are not far off the playoff places either as they sit just three points behind Chapelton in 10th.

Tivoli have lost just once in the last five matches, and although they have just one win over the period, Jerome Waite’s team are showing an unwillingness to give anything away easily.

However, Waite is very concerned about his team’s lack of offensive thrust and is hoping to see some improvement in that area.

“We ensured we nullified the teams as it relates to anything they pushed forward. I think the team did that well. Where our offence is concerned, we are still not connecting in the final third,” he insisted.

Meanwhile, MoBay will look for an immediate response when they tackle Molynes United at Constant Spring Sports Complex.

“We made some defensive errors (against Chapelton) that should have been avoided, but credit to Chapelton, they capitalised on the moments,” MoBay coach Xavier Gilbert commented

Molynes (25 points) slipped into the bottom two after they lost to Dunbeholden and Harbour View (27) won back-to-back games against Arnett Gardens and Spanish Town Police.

It has been 12 matches since Molynes last picked up three points, and if they are to avoid relegation, they need to start winning matches again.

In the day’s other game, third-place Racing take on Harbour View at the Harbour View Stadium. Harbour View are seeking their third straight win to move further away from the relegation zone.

A win for Racing would put them back into second place above Mount Pleasant, who they are tied with on 52 points.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com

Today’s Games

Tivoli vs Chapelton at Edward Seaga Sports Complex – 3:30 p.m.

Molynes vs MoBay at Constant Spring Sports Complex – 3:30 p.m.

Harbour View vs Racing at Harbour View Stadium – 3:30 p.m.

Tomorrow’s Games

Portmore vs Waterhouse at Ferdi Neita Park – 3:30 p.m.

Mount Pleasant vs Spanish Town Police at Drax Hall – 3:30 p.m.

Treasure Beach vs Arnett at STETHS – 3:30 p.m.

Cavalier vs Dunbeholden at Stadium East - 4 p.m.