Cavalier Soccer Club will be looking to avoid a third consecutive defeat in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) when they host Tivoli Gardens at Turner’s Oval at 3 p.m. today.
Following back-to-back losses to Molynes United and Montego Bay United, Cavalier have slipped to seventh place on seven points, four behind fourth-placed Tivoli.
Assistant coach David Laylor believes the team’s biggest issue has been a lack of goals.
“We just not scoring goals. That is something we have been working with from the season started, trying to get players to score goals. We are short on goalscorers,” he stated.
However, Laylor noted that defensive issues have also contributed to the team’s struggles after conceding eight goals in five matches.
“It is something we have to fix. About eight goals scored on us since the season started and that’s not good from Cavalier. We have to fix things at the back and try to fix at the front too. So we have work to do.”
Tivoli coach Andrew Price said he was pleased with the way his team responded to its first defeat of the season, rebounding with a 3-0 win over lowly Dunbeholden.
He said the performance demonstrated the character and resilience needed to secure all three points.
Despite Cavalier entering the match on the back of consecutive defeats, Price insisted they remain a dangerous opponent.
“Though we are travelling down to Turners Oval to play our next game, we have to go with a mindset to get something from that game.
“We will put in the work and have that in the back of our heads, to go there and fight and try to get something out of that game.
“Cavalier is a youthful team. They play hard, run hard. They can sit back and counter very fast. They have young and swift players and we are going to have to be circumspect defensively and when we get the chance, transition into attack. It’s a good team. You never want to take them lightly, but we will prepare for them,” he said.
In another intriguing fixture, Portmore United will host Chapelton Maroons at Ferdi Neita Park.
Despite suffering a 6-0 defeat to Waterhouse in the second round of matches, Chapelton have made a respectable start to the campaign with two wins and two draws, leaving them sixth on eight points.
However, questions remain about how well they match up against the league’s top teams, and Portmore will provide another stern examination.
Defending champions Portmore have played only three JPL matches this season because of their involvement in the Concacaf Caribbean Cup, but still sit ninth on six points.
Coach Rodolph Austin will be targeting all three points as Portmore seek to improve their league position and build momentum ahead of this week’s second-leg Caribbean Cup semi-final.
Meanwhile, Tru-Juice FC, Racing United and Waterhouse will start as favourites against Treasure Beach, Humble Lion and Dunbeholden, respectively.
livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com
Today’s Games
Portmore United vs Chapelton Maroons, Ferdi Neita Park
Treasure Beach vs Tru-Juice FC, STATHS
Humble Lion vs Racing United, Effortville Community Centre
Cavalier vs Tivoli Gardens, Turner’s Oval
Waterhouse vs Dunbeholden, Waterhouse Stadium (6 p.m.)
All games begin at 3 p.m. unless otherwise stated.
Tomorrow’s Games
Arnett Gardens vs Molynes United, Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex (5:05 p.m.)
Mount Pleasant vs Montego Bay United, Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex (8 p.m.)
