JPL: Brown gets a brace as Mount Pleasant move to fourth

Mount Pleasant Football Academy defeated league leaders Portmore United 2-0 on a brace from striker Warner Brown in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) at Ferdi Neita Park yesterday to climb to fourth in the table.

The win was significant for Mount Pleasant coach Theodore Whitmore, who said his team is finding its feet in the league after a slow start. He also praised Brown for leading from the front, but insists the forward’s impact is “no surprise”.

“Very pleased with the performance. We were solid in all phases of the game. We scored goals and did not concede, and that was a major concern in the early part of the season.

“We are finding our footing in the league. Game after game, we have improved as a team. It is not easy to come to Ferdi Neita and get two goals against Portmore. But overall, we did what we came here to do,” he said.

He also credited Brown for leading the defensive effort from up top.

“Definitely (an example for the team to follow),” Whitmore answered, when asked about Brown’s effort. “What Warner has brought to the team is what we expected from him; so again, it’s not a surprise. That’s the type of work rate we want from all the players on the pitch. We don’t want to give our opponents the space and time on the football. It’s a collective effort.”

The visitors quickly asserted themselves in an intense physical battle in yesterday’s game, but the chances were few.

Mount Pleasant got the breakthrough after a defensive blunder led to Brown scoring from the penalty spot in the 32nd minute.

The St Ann-based club grew in confidence after the goal and on the stroke of half-time, Brown capitalised on another defensive error and volleyed home from close range to extend his team’s lead.

Mount Pleasant started the second half the stronger of the two teams and Daniel Green had the first real effort on goal in the 57th minute. His curling shot was, however, palmed away by Daniel Russell in goal.

Shandee James responded for Portmore with a vicious strike moments later that Tafari Chambers had to tip over for a corner.

Both teams continued to battle fiercely and intensely to the end and in added time Tarick Ximines’ bullet free kick was parried wide by Chambers.

“I think we played well overall,” Portmore coach Rodolph Austin commented.

“Happy with the performance, but not the result. We lost to the champions of the Caribbean, but we gave a good account of ourselves.”

Mount Pleasant move two places up the table to fourth with 16 points, but only in front ahead of Cavalier on goal difference. However, Portmore stay atop the league on 24 points.