Heavy is the head that wears the crown

Portmore United face an impending challenge to their midweek rise to the top of the Jamaica Premier League (JPL), when they entertain Concacaf Caribbean Cup champions and unbeaten Mount Pleasant in the feature game of round 12 at the Ferdi Neita Park at 3 p.m. today.

Both teams are coming off morale-boosting victories in midweek, with Mount Pleasant dispatching Tivoli 5-0 after previously being held to a 0-0 draw by Dunbeholden.

Portmore also took advantage of former leaders Montego Bay United dropping five points in two games to climb to the top of the standings, with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Waterhouse at Drewsland in their last game.

Austin knows his team faces a mammoth task against the recently crowned Concacaf Caribbean Cup champions, but believes his team has continued to show a positive attitude in very difficult situations and expects no different on Sunday.

“This team has been showing good character throughout the season already. So whenever a goal is scored against us, I know they have the character to get back.

“But this is the time you have to really manage the unit and get them going. The team needs everyone now. So it’s about managing the players and playing each game on its merit,” he said.

Mount Pleasant had been wrapped in the Caribbean Cup since the start of the JPL season and despite not showing their best football domestically, the St Ann team has remained unbeaten after seven matches and should now be fully focused on the local league and getting results.

On Wednesday, the club got a big boost with striker Warner Brown getting off the mark for his club in the JPL with a brace. Daniel Green also netted a double in that game. And with the Theodore Whitmore-coached team finding their attacking zest, it could make for a fun watch with Portmore’s defensive resilience not easy to overcome.

At Stadium East, champions Cavalier, after their surprise midweek defeat to Molynes, will find it tough to get back to winning ways, when they go up against third-placed Racing United.

Only one place separate the teams in the table. Racing are third on 19 points and Cavalier are three points behind in fourth.

Both teams understand the seriousness of this fixture, as a win by four or more goals would lift Cavalier ahead of their opponent into third.

As a result, Racing who have a draw and a win from their last two matches, will have their eyes on a win and keeping the champions at arms length.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com

Today’s games

Dunbeholden vs Chapelton at Dunbeholden Sports Complex – 3 p.m.

Harbour View vs Molynes at Compound – 3 p.m.

Portmore vs Mount Pleasant at Ferdi Neita Park – 3 p.m.

Cavalier vs Racing at Stadium East – 4:30 p.m.