Back on the hunt

MONTEGO BAY United (MBU) brushed off their stutter last week to reclaim second place on the Wray & Nephew Jamaica Premier League table after a 2-0 win over Molynes United at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex last evening.

Second-half strikes from Jourdain Fletcher (47th minute) and Shaniel Thomas 52nd) ensured that the Rodolfo Zapata-coached team rebounded from last week’s 0-1 loss to Arnett Gardens.

Arnett’s victory last week had helped them leapfrog MBU to take sole position of second place.

The two are now tied on 37 points behind Mount Pleasant, who moved to 43 after their 2-0 win over Arnett on Sunday but MBU enjoy a better goal difference.

Brushing off the stutter was not an automatic response though, as MBU started the slower of the two yesterday, with Molynes enjoying the significant majority of goalscoring opportunities in the first half.

In the 31st minute, for instance, Molynes’ Tyrique Wilson broke free of his markers and found himself one-on-one with Montego Bay United’s custodian Aaron Enill. He would go on to rue putting his effort wide.

MBU’s build-up play, in the meantime, was bereft of its usual crispness and an end-product seemed beyond them.

Wilson was again in business by the 43rd minute but again he misfired, this time, sending his shot high over the bar.

In the second-half MBU looked a different team, immediately making an impact through Fletcher, who snuck in at the near post to clip his shot cheekily beyond goalkeeper Darren Donaie.

The goal came on the back of a skilful run from the dangerous Thomas.

Five minutes later, Thomas was on the scoresheet by eking out the smallest of spaces between two defenders to convert from close range.

Molynes United, were suffering their 11th defeat of the season and saw their short three-game unbeaten run snapped.

But Molynes coach Jermaine Thomas believes his team will get over the loss quickly.

“I would’ve seen enough positives. We’ll go back to the training ground, recover, get in some mental work, and go again. We were in it right through but we allowed them to play too much long balls. We created chances but didn’t take any,” said Thompas.

Argentine coach Zapata was delighted with the way his team rebounded from he considered a poor first half.

The break between stanzas, he said, allowed his team to reset and get it right in the final 45.

The team talk, he said, was positive, and resulted in a different unit.

orane.buchanan@gleanerjm.com