Advantage Montego Bay Defending champions Cavalier down 0-1 after JPL first-leg semi-final 

Montego Bay United grabbed the advantage against defending champions Cavalier in their Jamaica Premier League (JPL) first-leg semi-final yesterday  after a 1-0 win at the National Stadium.

An Adrian Reid own goal, in time added on, was all the Xavier Gilbert-coached team needed to gain the upper hand going into Wednesday's second leg.

"We figured that this (transition game) is what they were going to do, and at times we didn't break them down as quickly as possible, but we dominated possession, created some opportunities," Gilbett said.

He also commended his players for giving the opponents very little chance to initiate their transition game.

"From that aspect (counter press) we executed well. We know their style, and if we don't close them down quickly enough they are going to hurt us. 

"They do well in transition and can hurt any team in the league, and we just had to curtail their strength; and that is their strength," he said.

Cavalier came out and sat deep in a familiar low block and allowed the Montegonians to dictate play.

Gilbert's team took the initiative and pinned them in their half and patiently searched for the opening goal.

They came close in the 34th minute when goalkeeper Jamari Gordon spilled a shot on the doorstep of his goal and Dwight Merrick stabbed the loose ball wide from inside the six yards box.

Cavalier tried to get their attack going but found Montego Bay  fully prepared, as they quickly snuffed out any attempts for quick transitional attacks.

Montego Bay continued to control play after the interval and Kimani Arbouine forced Gordon into a diving save after five minutes.

Kimarley Scott had Cavalier's closest effort eight minutes into the second period, but his first-time attempt flew just over the bar.

However, Montego Bay were finding more space to counter, but St Fluer failed to make the most of a few good breaks. Meanwhile, Merrick had a fine shot pushed wide by Gordon and from the corner, Arbouine guided a header wide.

However, Montego Bay's persistence paid off in added time from a corner, as Reid lost his bearings and turned the ball into his own net for the game's only goal.

Cavalier assistant coach David Laylor admitted that Montego Bay  kept them quiet on the night, but remains confident in their chances of progression.

:Montego Bay are a very organised team and we didn't get a lot of chances today. They stood steadfast and came out on top, but we have another game to play, and next time we plan to attack better," he said.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com