Winning return
Chapelton Maroons claim Stars of the East scalp
Published:Tuesday | September 17, 2024 | 12:10 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
CHAPELTON MAROONS head coach O’Neil ‘Bigga’ Thompson said even though they surrendered their first-half lead against Harbour View in their Jamaica Premier League (JPL) game at the Anthony Spaulding Complex on Monday, his team is prepared to rebound from situations like this and thought they were excellent to get a 2-1 win to kick-start their season.
Javel Ellis fired Chapelton into the lead after just 10 minutes of football. And although Andre Fagan’s header tied the game in the 59th minute, Nathaniel Howe would restore the lead in the 63rd to give them three points to start their campaign.
“When you lead and fall behind, sometimes you fall off your game. But we prepare ourselves mentally to come back from things like this and we show the commitment needed to win the game and that is something we will continue to reinforce,” Thompson said after the match.
Chapelton were relegated from the JPL two seasons ago, and after making an immediate return, Thompson sees the three points as a positive start.
“Every team in the Premier League is prepared to win their first game. Sometimes it goes for you and sometimes it goes against you. So I feel extremely pleased to start off the season with three points.
“We will continue to work on the areas we want to improve on. But so far, I am satisfied with the performance of the team,” he said.
Early signals
Chapelton started the brighter of the teams and Ellis signalled their intentions early on when he broke through and fired just over the top.
Moments later, Harbour View shot back with Chapelton’s Gawain Austin forced to clear Diego McKenzie’s effort off the line.
Chapelton took the lead after goalkeeper Romario Palma spilled a ball in the box and Ellis was on hand to turn home from a yard out.
Harbour View eventually got into the game but lacked conviction in the final third, failing to really trouble the Chapelton defence, led by Austin.
Chapelton continued to have the better openings after the interval, with Neshwn Barrett and Demari Deacon missing good opportunities.
However, Harbour View would get the equaliser when Tahair Lawrence smashed the ball across the face of goal and Fagan flashed a header home from six yards.
Nevertheless, Chapelton restored their lead a few minutes later thanks to Howe’s good work and finish from inside the area.
Harbour View tried to get back but failed to really threaten while Chapelton came close to adding to their lead but an alert Demar Rose cleared off the foot of Bennett after a good pass from Ellis.
Harbour View defender Romaine Breakenridge thought experience and tactical indiscipline cost them on the night.
“We are a young unit. Despite the result the guys came out and tried their best. So we have to improve on this going forward. It’s still early days.
We have a long season ahead and we have players still to come in. So the Harbour View you saw today, you can expect better things going forward,” he said.