Away win gives Mt Pleasant fans confidence

THOUGH ONLY just pushing their noses in front after a 1-0 win in the first leg of their Jamaica Premier League semifinal tie against Montego Bay United, last year’s beaten finalists, Mount Pleasant Football Academy, are more confident than ever.

The semifinal first leg, held on Thursday at the Catherine Hall Sports Complex, left fans feeling Mount Pleasant were in a stronger position than the scoreline suggests.

Stefan Higgins, head chef at Mount Pleasant, told The Gleaner that it is over for MBU because the latter lost their home advantage.

“We can’t lose, we never had a doubt. Them going to get more in town. They should have won this one because they don’t have a chance in town. MBU going to get 3-4-nil on Sunday,” said Higgins

Mount Pleasant broke the deadlock in the 21st minute courtesy of Clifford Thomas, who was scoring his first goal of the season.

Oshea Daniel, another Mount Pleasant fan, echoed similar sentiments to Higgins.

“With the calibre of players, and camaraderie of the coaches, come on it was an easy win and we were on a good pitch. Ball a knock, classic football was played. We were very productive in this game. Easily to the finals and from there on we take it to the next step,” a confident Daniel said.

Mount Pleasant ended the season as league leaders with 93 points while MBU were third with 75.

The teams have now faced each other four times this season with Mount Pleasant winning three games and drawing one.

MBU coach, Paul ‘Tegat’ Davis, unlike the Mount Pleasant, doesn’t feel losing at home makes much of a difference to his team’s plans to make the final.

“[The mindset is] to go out there and win this game,” said Davis of Sunday’s second leg at Sabina Park.

“We have nothing more to lose. We are behind right now and we have to just go at it,” he said.

Mount Pleasant coach, Theodore ‘Tappa’ Whitmore, was obviously the happier of the coaches.

“Objective achieved,” said Whitmore after the game.

“It is always difficult to come here and play, it is like going to Arnett Gardens to play, so once we can withstand this pressure then it is good for us,” he said.

MBU fans are also of the opinion the tie is far from over.

Shane Malcolm said though his team has a tough task, he believes the team will advance.

“MBU is a solid team and Mount Pleasant has always been a hiccup in our season. I am optimistic for us because it’s two games. I am not worried because we look dangerous when we are going forward. Coming into the game, I thought we had the better team,” said Malcolm.

The second leg of semifinal games will be played on Sunday at Sabina Park with Mount Pleasant and MBU renewing their rivalry at 5:00 p.m., while Cavalier and Arnett Gardens, who ended their first leg game 1-1, taking to the field at 8:00 p.m.