A goal in the 68th minute by Francois Swaby propelled Mount Pleasant Football Academy to a 1-0 win over Humble Lion in their Jamaica Premier League match at the JFF-UWI Captain Horace Burrell Centre of Excellence on Saturday.
Mount Pleasant had missed two penalties during the game but Swaby popped up and saved their blushes firing home after latching onto a through ball and secured their first win of the season. The St Ann-based Mount Pleasant moved to four points and provisionally on top of the league, well for a few hours at least ahead of the second game sof the day between Waterhouse and Dunbeholden.
It was Humble Lion’s second defeat of the season and they remained pointless with a lot of work to do sitting at the bottom of the league. But things could have been worse for Humble Lion as they conceded an early penalty when goalkeeper Mikhail Harrison uprooted Kesslon Hall in the box in the fourth minute. Midfielder Leonardo Rankine stepped up but saw his weak effort well saved by Harrison, who redeemed himself after committing the earlier infringement.
Then in the 37th minute, Mount Pleasant were awarded their second penalty by referee Christopher Mason, this time, striker Kemar Beckford took charge, but he also produced a feeble effort that was gobbled up by Harrison.
It was a good win for Mount Pleasant following their 0-0 draw with Tivoli Gardens last week and they bounced back with a crucial win that justified their status as one of the favourites.
For Clarendon-based Humble Lion, it was another disappointing display and as early as it is in the season, they have a lot of catching up to be considered title contenders.
Former Humble Lion player Francois Swaby was adjudged Man-of-the-Match.
Teams: Humble Lion — 55-Mikhail Harrison, 51-Linval Lewis, 31-Hugh Howell (30-Shamari Dallas 59th), 13-Mark Rodney (03-Romoy Parkins, 76th), 35-Rico Edwards, 26-Kemar Drake, 34-Afiba Chambers, 18-Shemar Rhoden, 07-Vishinul Harris, 24-Leonardo Jibbison, 15-Lorenzo Lewin (Courtney Hill 76th).
Subs not used: 60-Keneil Petrie, 06-Fabian Pascoe, 08-Hughan Gray, 17-Romeo Wright.
Coach: Andrew Price
Booked: Hugh Howell 26th, Afiba Chambers 64th.
Mount Pleasant — 40-David Swaby, 04-Alwayne Harvey (17-Ronaldo Rodney 73rd), 03-Ladale Richie, 14-Sue-Lae McCalla, 05-Leonard Rankine (18-Kevin Graham 78th), 12-Latroy Laing, 06-Liston James, 10-Kemar Beckford, 16-Francios Swaby (Jourdain Fletcher 82nd), 24-Osani Ricketts, Kesslon Hall.
Subs not used: 55-Michael McKenzie, 19-Cardel Benbow, 09-Daniel Green, Devonte Campbell.
Coach: Paul Davis
Booked: Ladale Richie 20th, Latroy Laing 26th, Ronaldo Rodney 84th.
Referee: Christopher Mason
Assistant Referee 1: Lloyd Edwards
Assistant Referee 2: Ricardo McKenzie
Fourth Official: Odette Hamilton
Match Commissioner: Elaine Walker-Brown
