MOUNT PLEASANT coach Theodore Whitmore is pleased with the way new overseas players are settling in after all three turned in good performances in their 2-0 win over Chapelton Maroons in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) yesterday at the Anthony Spaulding Complex.
Angelo Exilus, who hails from Trinidad and Tobago, opened the scoring for Mount Pleasant in the 64th minute, and Raheem Edwards sealed the win with another goal in the 74th minute.
Whitmore described the display from his new recruits, which include Haitians Jeudy Jhonson and Clifford Thomas, as “satisfactory”, and believes the team is nearing its best.
“Two of them (newcomers) would have completed 90 minutes tonight, which is very satisfactory. There is pretty much a lot of work to be done. But we are nearing where we want to be,” he said.
He believed it was a dominant performance by his team, but said they were lacking in their finishing on the day.
“We controlled the game for most parts. We showed a lot of patience. In the first half we didn’t create many chances, but in the second half we had a lot of chances, but the execution wasn’t on par. But very pleased with the overall performance,” he commented.
Mount Pleasant controlled the lion’s share of possession, while Chapelton tried to hit on the counter.
The first real chance to score fell to Exilus in the 26th minute, but he kicked straight to Prince-Daniel Smith in goal for Chapelton, while Daniel Green’s follow-up effort wss blocked on the line.
Moments later, Green had a chance from six yards out but his effort was blocked, as was a second attempt from Jhonson.
Mount Pleasant continued to ask the questions after the break and broke the deadlock after 61 minutes, when Raheem Edwards’ miscued shot found Exilus at the back post, and he stabbed home from six yards.
Edwards, who could have had a hat-trick, had a glorious chance three minutes later, but he placed his shot over the bar after a good run and pass from Gadail Irving.
Andrew Vanzie came close for Chapelton moments later, but goalkeeper Shaquan Davis parried his free kick for a corner.
Javel Ellis also blasted another great opportunity over, minutes later, after escaping a challenge from defender Jamoi Topey.
However, in the 73rd minute some good combination play between Devonte Campbell and Nicholas Nelson sent Campbell through, and he set up Edwards to tap home from six yards.
Edwards then missed a sitter from two yards, after some excellent wing play from Campbell again.
Campbell then had a chance for himself five minutes from time, but could not beat Smith with his shot from a difficult angle. He was also inches away from a third with a curling strike just before the final whistle.
Chapelton coach Dwight White said they played a good game but lapsed in defence.
“We manged most of the game well. It was a good first half, but we lapsed in concentration and gave up possession in our defensive third, and when you do that against a Mount Pleasant, you know what the end result is going to be. We tried, but it wasn’t enough,” he said.
Mount Pleasant moved to 81 points, nine clear of Montego Bay United, who beat Racing United 3-0 in the late match. Chapelton are 10th on 33 points, one point above the relegation zone, while Racing are eighth on 48.
