Mount Pleasant secure spot in CFU Club Shield
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Caribbean champions Mount Pleasant Academy secured another season of regional football after beating Montego Bay United 3-2 in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) third-place match at the National Stadium yesterday.
Mount Pleasant's third-place finish put them in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Shield, which is a route into the Caribbean Club Championship.
Despite missing out on the JPL final for the first time in four seasons, Mount Pleasant will have the opportunity for Caribbean football, but for coach Xavier Gilbert of MoBay, it was a huge loss.
"We missed out on it (Caribbean Football), which is very disappointing, but we gave it a good shot. I think we were unlucky today. That's the nature of the game. We tried our best," he said.
Angelos Exilus fired Mount Pleasant into the lead five minutes before the interval, when Montego Bay looked the more likely to score in the first half.
Montego Bay drew level in the second half when Brian Brown capitalised on good work on the right, getting a touch that went off the post and in. They were, however, reduced to 10 men when Gordon Garbriel was shown the red card in the 70th minute for going through his opponent with a tackle after getting the ball first.
"I don't understand. There is no VAR. I don't know if he (referee) saw blood. It was a similar situation with (Nashardo) Gibbs, he got a tackle and you could see the blood and the stud marks, and not even a caution [for the opponent].
"I am appalled by the decision, but it is something we have to live with, and that's why I say we are unlucky," Gilbert commented.
Mount Pleasant made their advantage count moments later when Jabari Howell scored from a free kick to put the Caribbean Champions 2-1 ahead in the 83rd minute.
Montego Bay came right back, however, as two minutes later Deonjay Brown's excellent strike levelled the match at 2-2.
However, before anyone could catch their breath, Exilus broke loose and guided the ball past Davonnie Burton to put Mount Pleasant 3-2 in front with five minutes to go.
"It's unfortunate that we gave up some goals, two soft ones. Nevertheless, we gave it our all and were unlucky in some situations," Gilbert added.