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Montego Bay United’s Jourdain Fletcher (centre) tries to elude the Mount Nice FA pair of Kyle Ming (left) and Alex Marshall throughout the Jamaica Premier League match at Montego Bay Sports activities Complicated in St James on February 24, 2025. (Photograph: Paul Reid)
Automated semi-finalists Mount Nice FA and play-off qualifiers Montego Bay United, first and second, respectively, within the Jamaica Premier League, are wanting ahead to the elimination stage of the competitors, each with a watch on lifting the championship trophy.
The Theodore “Tappa” Whitmore-coached Mount Nice, on 81 factors, secured their semi-final spot on Monday after they beat Chapelton Maroons 2-0 within the first recreation of a double-header on the Anthony Spaulding Sports activities Complicated.
The Paul “Tegat” Davis-coached Montego Bay United, who climbed to 67 factors after their 3-0 win over Racing United within the second recreation on the venue, will end within the prime six, together with Arnett Gardens (67) and Portmore United (63).
Defending champions Cavalier FC, Waterhouse, Tivoli Gardens and Racing United are within the hunt for the opposite two locations.
After reserving their top-six spots, Whitmore and his former Seba United and Jamaica Reggae Boyz teammate Davis have the posh to show their consideration to preparation for the final section. Each agree that squad rotation will likely be key to any success they hope to get.
On Monday, Mount Nice included various youngsters within the beginning workforce.
“[Squad] rotation provides us a chance for different gamers to contribute, handle fatigue and damage prevention, relaxation to key gamers, tactical flexibility, and permit us to experiment with completely different line-ups and methods,” he instructed the Jamaica Observer from Mount Nice’s St Ann base.
Whitmore stated the teaching employees will “analyse opponents and alter the workforce accordingly” for the remaining matches.
Mount Nice, who gained the title in 2023 and have been finalists final yr, are odds on favorite to make a 3rd look within the championship match. They’re on a record-breaking run, successful 25 of their 34 video games, whereas scoring 82 targets. They’ve 4 gamers who’ve scored at the very least 10 targets to date and have been prevented from scoring in solely three matches. On the different finish, their goalkeepers have mixed for 20 video games with out permitting a aim.
Whitmore stated he doesn’t count on Mount Nice to lose their edge after they sit out the play-off stage which can decide the remaining semi-finalists.
“Earlier than the beginning of the competitors we’d have identified the format so therefore the break shouldn’t be a problem,” he stated, including that every one the mandatory processes will likely be in place to assist the gamers. “Hydration, restoration, all of these are essential components, managing and sustaining gamers load goes to be key.”
Davis admitted it will likely be “useful” to get into the highest two and cement early qualification for the semi-finals.
He stated he, Technical Director Andrew Peart and Assistant Coach Dillon Thelwell have been eager to rotate gamers.
“Gamers who had not been enjoying often at the moment are getting a variety of enjoying time. Goalkeeper [Davonnie Burton] was not getting a variety of recreation [time] and now he may very well be seen because the primary goalkeeper. It makes a distinction since you need to maintain the workforce pleased and as soon as they’re pleased, they’ll produce.”
He famous, nevertheless, that there is no such thing as a slowing down.
“It’s essential for us to proceed the work, taking it recreation by recreation, we are able to’t take any factor without any consideration as there are not any straightforward video games within the Premier League, whether or not prime or backside, so we have now to focus and do what we have now to do and we have to tempo ourselves so we are able to go on and win this championship,” Davis stated.
Because the second half of final yr, Montego Bay United have been on a roll. They have been unbeaten over the ultimate 10 video games of final season, and marginally missed a play-off spot.
This season they’ve picked up the place they left off, solely falling out of the highest 4 for temporary intervals. They’ve misplaced solely 4 of 36 video games.
Davis, who took over from Argentine Rodolfo Zapata, is unbeaten in 12 video games, successful six of these.
He stated he was happy with what he noticed from sidelined Reggae Boy Peter-Lee Vassell, who got here off the bench to attain on his debut on Monday.
“It was good to see Peter-Lee again in motion after two years out. He performed 25 minutes [on Monday] and received a aim and possibly that may enhance his confidence. However he has to get match, match match, and he could also be one of many gamers who may help us down the street.”
Davis can also be awaiting the return of prime scorer Shaniel Thomas who has missed the final six video games because of a shoulder damage.
THURSDAY’S GAMES
5:00 pm — Racing vs Cavalier @ Anthony Spaulding Complicated
7:30 pm — Arnett Gardens vs Mount Nice @ Anthony Spaulding Complicated
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