3 months ago
14
STANDING AS the only unbeaten team at the halfway point in the Jamaica Women’s Premier League (JWPL), Frazsiers Whip head coach Courtney Dowdie said consistency will be key as his players approach the second round of fixtures.
Frazsiers Whip sit atop the JWPL standings with a perfect record of 10 wins from as many games, tallying 30 points.
They lead Cavalier who are currently second on 25 points, with Arnett Gardens rounding off the top three teams with 22.
Dowdie said their unbeaten first-round record was one of their aims this season.
“Simply put, we’re halfway through and we’ve achieved one of our short-term goals. One of our short-terms goals was to go unbeaten in the first round and we’ve achieved that and that’s a plus for us,” he said.
Dowdie, however, explained the second round will not prove as comfortable as the first for the defending champions.
Having faced all the teams in the league, Dowdie said each opponent will now have a better understanding of his team’s structure and can prepare better to face them on the field.
With this in mind, he has been focusing on the team’s consistency ahead of the second half of the season.
“We know that teams will be coming back a lot harder for the second round, so it is for us to stay positive and see how best we can continue on the path that we’re on right now,” he said.
“We have to stay consistent. The same way we train each and every day, we have to make sure the girls understand that.
“The easiest thing to do is get to the top but the hardest thing to do is to maintain it. At the end of the day, the league is just halfway through. We’re not at the end of the league, so we have to ensure that we keep working and keep on fighting to stay on the top.”
Frazsiers Whip will take on UWI Mona today in JWPL action, the return match of their opening game of the season.
When the teams first met, Frazsiers Whip walked away with a 6-0 win; however, Dowdie is wary of the return leg.
“We are expecting that the second round, the teams will come better, especially this UWI team, so we’re preparing for that.”
Today’s fixtures will also bring an exciting clash between second and third in the league as Arnett Gardens take on Cavalier.
The two teams played out a 2-2 draw in their first meeting and are expected to play their part in an equally intense affair this time around.
Leading the line for the Junglists will be the prolific Shikira Douglas who netted four goals in their most recent outing against Real MoBay.
For Cavalier, the ever-reliable Shanel Spence is expected to spearhead their attacking line.
Another game of note will be Los Perfectos’ home fixture against Federal United.
Los Perfectos sit fourth in the standings on 21 points and, depending on the result of the game between Cavalier and Arnett, could move into third position.
They will be confident of leaving with all three points as they face bottom-place Federal United who they defeated 6-1 in the first match of the season.
Today’s Games
Arnett Gardens vs Cavalier at Alpha Boys
Los Perfectos vs Federal United at Brooks Park
Mile Gully vs Real MoBay at Mile Gully Community Centre
Proven Girls vs Wifi United at York Sports Complex
UWI vs Frazsiers Whip at UWI Mona Bowl
All games begin at 3:30 p.m.*
English (US) ·