‘Rested’ Cavalier ready for defensive juggernauts

Cavalier assistant coach David Laylor says the brief rest the team obtained due to a number of their players being involved in an international friendly against Grenada recently has been a positive for his team in the hectic Jamaica Premier League (JPL) schedule.

Cavalier take on Dunbeholden at Stadium East today at 4 p.m., and in the day’s other match, Spanish Town Police host league leaders Montego Bay United at Royal Lakes Sports Complex at 3 p.m.

Cavalier last played in the JPL on January 11 against Waterhouse and have had two of their matches postponed since.

Laylor believes it was a rare chance for the champions to recover physically from the gruelling two-a-week fixtures the teams have been enduring since December.

Although he noted Dunbeholden’s defensive notoriety this term, he believes that a good performance can give them the three points.

“It (rest) gave us time for them to recover from some injuries, too. So we have used the rest to recuperate and re-evaluate the team. We have a young team, and we have to ensure we stay in the thick of things.

“Our backline is not bad, but we have had a lot of hiccups getting settled. So it’s how well we can finish. So the expectation is to play good football. We are really trying to get a rhythm, playing good-quality football. We have been out of sorts for a little while, and we are just trying to get it back both with ball possession and transitioning,” he said.

Dunbeholden have lost just once in their last nine games, and although six of those were draws, they only allowed four goals.

Nevertheless, Duneholden coach Damion Gordon anticipates a difficult contest and will be approaching the game with caution.

“Cavalier is a tough opponent. They are going through it this season, but they are still ahead of us.

“They have a winning mentality. When you are playing teams like those, you have to play careful and disciplined and take your chances,” he said.

He is also hoping they bring their shooting boots to the party.

“Overall, I think the team needs to develop the habit of scoring, and that’s what we are missing. We are very good in how we defend. We have the best defensive record, but we have an awful offensive record. So we have to continue, as a group, working towards that.”

Cavalier are sixth in the standings with 23 points, four ahead of Dunbeholden in 10th place.

In the day’s other game, league leaders MoBay will look to extend Spanish Town Police’s three-match losing run when they travel to Royal Lakes.

After a slump following Hurricane Melissa, the team from the Second City has rediscovered their early form and are unbeaten in four, with three wins.

MoBay lead the league on 36 points while Spanish Town sit at the bottom of the table with eight.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com

TODAY’S GAMES

Cavalier vs Dunbeholden at Stadium East – 4 p.m.

Spanish Town Police vs MoBay at Royal Lakes – 3 p.m.

TOMORROW’S GAMES

Chapelton vs Waterhouse at Turners Oval – 3 p.m.

Tivoli vs Racing at Edward Seaga Sports Complex – 3 p.m.

Portmore vs Molynes at Ferdi Neita Park – 3 p.m.

Harbour View vs Treasure Beach at Compound – 3 p.m.

Arnett vs Mount Pleasant at Anthony Spaulding – 7 p.m.