Cavalier beat Mt Pleasant for third Premier League title - Jamaica Observer

Source: Jamaica Observer

KINGSTON, Jamaica - Cavalier SC are champions of the Jamaica Premier League after defeating Mt Pleasant FA 4-3 on penalties in the final at the National Stadium 4-3 on Sunday, avenging last year's loss to the St Ann club in the title game.

The teams had played out a 1-1 draw in regulation and extra time before the dreaded penalty shootout.

Cavalier SC's goalkeeper Vino Barclett made two saves in the shootout and Nicholas Hamilton, who came into the game late in the second period of extra time, scored the winner.

Cavalier had to come from behind in the game and in the shootout to win their second title in four years and the club's third overall.

Devonte Campbell, who had scored both goals in Mt Pleasant FA's semi-final second leg 2-1 win over Waterhouse a week earlier, gave the St Ann team the lead in the 65th minute when his shot from just inside the box curled just wide of Barclett.

The lead lasted all of two minutes before central defender Richard King was well placed on the top of the six yards box to punch a ball that was crossed from the left past Mt Pleasant FA's goalkeeper Shaquan Davis.

Thirty minutes of extra time failed to produce a winner and the game was decided from the penalty spot, with the Cavalier players holding their nerve to prevail despite starting the shootout 0-2 down.

Jamoi Topey and Atapharoy Bygrave both scored their kicks for Mt Pleasant FA after Dwayne Atkinson's attempt was saved by Davis.

Barclett then saved back-to-back kicks from Ladale Richie and Romeo Guthrie while Gadail Irving, King, Adrian Reid and Hamilton all scored their kicks.

Sue-Law McCalla scored the other penalty for Mt Pleasant FA.

In the first game, Arnett Gardens took third place with a 5-1 spanking of Waterhouse.

-Paul A Reid