Leaders, champions take aim at breaking losing streak

Jamaica Premier League (JPL) leaders Montego Bay United and defending champions Cavalier will both look to end their two-match winless runs when they meet in the feature match of round 31 at Jarrett Park at 3:30 p.m. today.

MoBay (58) are three points ahead at the top of the league, ahead of Mount Pleasant in second and five clear of Racing United in third.

MoBay assistant coach Garnett Lawrence says every top team experiences a little ‘down time’ over the course of a season, but that they are looking to turn things around on Sunday.

“It has been a hectic season for everyone. We are looking at it as a little down time for us. It’s for us to look at what’s going on.

“We have a difficult game on Sunday versus Cavalier. When Cavalier play MoBay the two teams go at each other, but we are trying to get ourselves back on track and our down time will hopefully go back up this week,” he said.

He added that. “Mentally we are getting back up there. It’s for us to put the pieces together and get going on Sunday. We are at home and we are prepared to go for three points.”

Just at it appeared as if Cavalier would go on one of their lengthy winning streaks, notching four straight victories, the champions slumped to back-to-back defeats and are in danger of dropping out of the top six with Chapelton Maroons hot on their heels.

Cavalier hold on to the sixth and final playoffs spot on 42 points, one more than Chapelton, three ahead of Arnett and four clear of Dunbeholden.

Assistant coach David Laylor said despite their current run, they are feeling no pressure and go into the game confident of taking three points.

“We know who we are up against. We know the task that’s ahead of us and the lads know that also. So we will be digging deep this weekend to come out with something.

“We are not feeling the pressure. They (Chapelton) are behind us still. They are not in front of us, but we have a job to do and that’s where our focus is right now.

“We have to come up with some points and maintain our position ahead of them. Their coach said they are on a down time now and we just hope it remains so for Sunday but we will do our best,” he stated.

He added that goalscoring remains their main concern but that they continue to work through the problem.

“When you lose goalscorers it is not easy to replace them and so we are still working with the ones we have and trying to get the best from them.

“We are working hard on it and the guys just have to dig deep and do our best with the ones that we have. We just have to dig deep and try to come up with goals from anywhere and any angle.”

Meanwhile, seventh-place Chapelton will be hoping to take care of business when they host Molynes at Turner’s Oval.

If Chapelton get three points and Cavalier fail to win, that would propel Chapelton into the playoff spots.

Ninth-place Dunbeholden and fourth-place Portmore (51) also lock horns at the Dunbeholden Sports Complex, and although Portmore start as favourites, they will have to be wary of a Dunbeholden team that has won two straight matches.

In the day’s the game, Tivoli Gardens will go for their first win in five matches when they host an improving Harbour View at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex.

Harbour View have taken seven of their last nine available points, and with the league’s leading scorer and leading assist provider, Trayvone Reid, in red-hot form, this one can go either way.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com

Today’s Games

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

Chapelton vs Molynes at Turner’s Oval – 3:30 p.m.

MoBay vs Cavalier at Jarrett Park – 3:30 p.m.

Dunbeholden vs Portmore at Dunbeholden Sports Complex – 3:30 p.m.

Tomorrow’s Games

Racing vs Treasure Beach at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex - 5 p.m.

Arnett vs Mount Pleasant at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex – 7:30 p.m.

Waterhouse vs Spanish Town Police at Drewsland Stadium - 6 p.m.