MBU's Jahmari Clarke (left) is challenged by Treasure Beach FC's Orio Titus in Monday's JPL first round game between the teams at the Montego Bay Sports Complex. Montego Bay United won the game 3-1. (Photo: Paul Reid)
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Chapelton Maroons will be seeking to extend their historic start to the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) when they host Portmore United at Turner’s Oval on Sunday, starting at 3:00pm.
Four games are scheduled for Sunday after the game between Racing United and Mt Pleasant FA was postponed with another two set for Monday.
Montego Bay United are away to Dunbeholden United, Treasure Beach FC are home to Molynes United at the St Elizabeth Technical Sports Complex while Harbour View and Arnett Gardens, both still search for their first win will meet at stadium east.
Chapelton Maroons are off to their best ever start and after wins against Tivoli Gardens and Harbour View will be hoping to beat a third straight former champion who they managed to beat for the first time last season.
Portmore United are coming off a 0-0 draw against Harbour View after beating Dunbeholden FC in their opening game.
Montego Bay United will go in search of back-to-back wins as well as seeking to avenge their loss at Dunbeholden last season, one of only six setbacks they suffered.
Dunbeholden are coming off a win, over promoted Spanish Town Police, but faces a strong Montego Bay United team that was able to shake off a late comeback from Treasure Beach with two late goals of their own, both from Jourdain Fletcher, who came off the bench to make his seasonal debut.
Montego Bay United just fell short of making it to the final last season and have set lofty goals for this campaign but have gotten off to a good start.
Newcomer Jahmari Clarke has scored in both games so far for Montego Bay United and will be looking to extend that record, and Fletcher could force his way into the starting team as well.
At the St Elizabeth Technical Sports Complex, Treasure Beach will hope to rebound and keep their home record perfect but will come up against a Molynes United team that would have been pleased with their performance against Mt Pleasant FA.
Both teams will be eyeing a play-off spot this season— Treasure Beach FC returning to the Premier League at the first opportunity after a one-season stint while Molynes United just escaped relegation last season — and this game will be important to both teams.
In previous years, Harbour View against Arnett Gardens would be box office but both teams have struggled so far. Harbour View are yet to score a goal while Arnett Gardens, who were third last year, have conceded eight goals in their two games played so far and are at the foot of the table.
Last season it took 13 games for Arnett Gardens to concede eight goals and they will be desperate to start winning games. They will start as favourites on Sunday.
Harbour View have found goals hard to come by over the last few seasons, scoring only 38 in 39 games played last season and 32 in 26 games the previous season, both times just managing to avoid relegation.
Sunday Games:
Harbour View vs Arnett Gardens — Stadium East at 3:00 pm;
Dunbeholden FC vs Montego Bay United — Dunbeholden Sports Complex at 3:00 pm; and
Chapelton Maroons vs Portmore United — Turners Oval at 3:00 pm.