Defending champions Cavalier were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw against Waterhouse in their second-round clash, the final fixture of matchday 16 in the Wray and Nephew Jamaica Premier League (JPL) at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex on Monday.
Substitute Javane Bryan salvaged a point for Waterhouse with a stoppage-time equaliser, extending their winless streak to six games. The Drewsland-based side has not recorded a victory since defeating Humble Lion 2-0 on November 16, drawing four and losing two during this stretch.
The draw marked Cavalier’s third in their last six matches, alongside two wins and a 3-1 defeat to Chapelton Maroons. Despite the stalemate, neither team improved their standing in the table. Cavalier remain fourth on 28 points, just one point ahead of fifth-placed Waterhouse.
Jalmaro Calvin starred for Cavalier with both goals, taking his season tally to 10. He opened the scoring in the 20th minute to hand his team a 1-0 lead at halftime.
Waterhouse responded swiftly in the second half, with Andre Fletcher equalising from a header in the 47th minute. Calvin restored Cavalier’s lead in the 58th minute, setting the stage for a nail-biting finish.
Cavalier appeared on course for victory, but stoppage time brought late drama. In the 90+4 minute, Andre Fletcher unleashed a left-footed effort from outside the box, forcing a strong save from Cavalier's St Lucian goalkeeper, Vino Barclett. However, moments later, Cavalier's failure to clear their lines proved costly. Bryan seized the opportunity with a decisive close-range strike, netting his fourth goal of the season to secure a vital point for Waterhouse. The result marked a measure of redemption for Waterhouse, who had suffered a 2-0 defeat in the first-round meeting on September 29.
Cavalier head coach Rudolph Speid expressed satisfaction with his team’s overall performance despite the late equaliser.
“I was more pleased with how we played because I thought we bossed the game most of the time; it is just unfortunate that we didn’t win, but at least we are coming back to some semblance of form in terms of what we can do going forward,” said Speid. “We are still not fully fit yet; some players are still getting over the fatigue, so I am not really too worried because it is not a league; it is really a knockout with six teams. So, once we stay in there, I am good,” he added.
Waterhouse coach Marcel Gayle lauded his team’s resilience.
“I thought we were fantastic; I thought we started well because, as I said, Cavalier is a good team, so we had to be very disciplined, which we were for the most part, but we were unfortunate in conceding those two goals,” said Gayle. “They are almost like schoolboy errors at this level of the game, but we kept our heads in the game and finished strong, which was very good. So, there are a lot of positives to take away from the game.”
In Monday’s earlier fixture, Tivoli Gardens fought back from an early deficit to secure a 1-1 draw with Portmore United.
Romeo Guthrie put Portmore ahead in the eighth minute, but Tivoli's second-half substitute, Steve Clarke, equalised in the 55th minute. The result extended Portmore’s winless streak to six matches, their last victory coming on November 10 when they defeated Humble Lion 1-0.
Portmore United finished the matchday in sixth place with 24 points, maintaining a four-point advantage over seventh-placed Tivoli Gardens. Portmore had previously edged Tivoli 2-1 in their first-round meeting on September 30.
Mount Pleasant FA, coached by Theodore Whitmore, maintained their position atop the standings with a commanding 4-0 victory over Dunbeholden on Sunday. With 37 points, they lead second-placed Montego Bay United and third-placed Arnett Gardens, both on 34 points, heading into matchday 17.
MATCHDAY 16 RESULTS
SUNDAY
Racing United FC 0, Arnett Gardens FC 2
Montego Bay United FC 2, Chapelton Maroons FC 1
Molynes United FC 3, Harbour View FC 1
Mount Pleasant FA 4, Dunbeholden FC 0
Humble Lion FC 0, Vere Phoenix United FC 1
MONDAY
Tivoli Gardens FC 1, Portmore United FC 1
Cavalier SC 2, Waterhouse FC 2
Videos courtesy of SportsMax TV.
