1 year ago
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Peter McGregor made an impressive return to the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) yesterday as he scored a brace in Molynes United’s emphatic 3-1 win over lowly Harbour View at Drax Hall in St Ann.
McGregor, who was a key figure in Dunbeholden’s run to the JPL final in 2021-22 but left to play with Valeo Nazare in Portugal and Ethlone Town in Ireland first division, put Molynes 2-0 up with goals in the 16th and 30th minutes.
Schoolboy Devonte Davis scored the third in the 42nd minute to follow up his hat-trick last week. Oquassa Chong scored a consolation goal for Harbour View from the penalty spot in added time.
It took Molynes just 16 minutes to break Harbour View resistance when McGregor was left unguarded inside the area and he nodded home a cross from six yards. Molynes added a second just on the half hour. Mickel Graham turned Trey Bennett inside out before setting up McGregor, who did well to dismiss his marker and slot home.
“I did not expect to be alone in the box for the first goal,” McGregor said after the game. “They were man-marking, but the minute I turned around and saw I was alone, I just knew I had to be composed and just head it back where it was coming from.”
He added that he also had to keep a cool head to score his second.
“Yes, it was a good turn from me. But I had to keep my composure under the pressure and hit it back to the post where the keeper was coming from. I didn’t get a firm touch on it, but it was enough for it to go in,” he said.
Davis cemented Molynes’ dominance three minutes before the break when he pounced on a loose ball in the box and fired inside Demelcio Fer’s near post, and McGregor was pleased to see his partnership with the young forward in attack blossoming.
“He is a good youngster. He is good with the ball at his feet. So I know whenever he picks it up, I just have to make the run to hold up or one-two with him, and things like that,” he added.
Harbour View came out positive after the break and had a good chance through Rohan Brown, who fired over the top.
However, they did get a consolation late in the game when a hand ball was called on a defender inside the box, and Chong fired home the rebound after his penalty was blocked.
Molynes coach Jermaine Thomas said this was the type of performance they had been demanding all season.
“We knew they were going to come at us. So as soon as we won possession inside the middle third, we transitioned as quickly as possible, and it worked.
“What we got today (three goals) is what we would have wanted all season, and two, three goals in the first half. Psychologically, it was always going to be difficult for the opponents to come back.
“There were other chances we could have made better use of, nevertheless, to get three goals in the first 45 (minutes), you have to be grateful,” he said.
Harbour View coach Donald Stewart said they never got going in the first half.
“The first half we didn’t turn up. We made a couple mistakes as well that cost us goals. The second half we had a little more energy and we got some more continuation and progression with the ball going forward.”
The win lifted Molynes to ninth with 16 points while Harbour View are 13th in the 14-team league with 12 points.
livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com
Yesterday’s results
Mount Pleasant 4-0 Dunbeholden
Montego Bay United 2-1 Chapelton Maroons
Molynes United 3-1 Harbour View
Vere Phoenix 1-0 Humble Lion
Arnett Gardens 2-0 Racing United
Today’s matches
5 p.m. Tivoli Gardens vs Portmore United
7:45 p.m. Cavalier SC vs Waterhouse FC
Both matches will be played at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex.
English (US) ·