Best and Worst of RSPL Week 25

BEST

Portmore United

Portmore are creeping up towards the top-two positions. With their 4-1 defeat of Dunbeholden on January 30, they have now won four games in a row for the second time this season. Additionally, they have managed to score 13 goals in that span and their offensive showing is making Mount Pleasant and Waterhouse, the teams above them, become unsettled over their current positions. Ricardo Gardner's teams is now third with 42 points, four off the lead. The two-week break may have come at the wrong time momentum-wise, but the defending champions have entered a busy February with Caribbean Club Championship responsibilities and one eye on their Concacaf Champions League knockout fixture against Cruz Azul on February 18. Their squad will be fully tested as they compete on three fronts.

Mount Pleasant

After losing late to Humble Lion on Sunday, Mount Pleasant managed a crucial 2-0 away win over Tivoli Gardens to remain in second place in the league on 44 points. They have strengthened the attacking and midfield areas with the acquisitions of Ryan Brown and Jeremy Nelson from Molynes United, as they hope to solidify their position and secure an automatic berth in the play-off semi- finals. They will be hoping that the two-week break from league play will allow them enough time to recharge for the final stretch run starting on February 16 against relegation threatened UWI FC.

Arnett Gardens

The transfer of top midfielder Vishinul Harris to Humble Lion has not slowed down the 'Junglists'. Their 3-1 win over UWI FC has eased concerns at the club slipping after going winless in their four previous games. After the two-week break, they will have a two-game home stand against struggling Molynes United and soaring Mount Pleasant, as they hope to ensure that they will be among those contending for the title when the league post-season begins in late spring.

Humble Lion

The Andrew Price-coached team did some business in the transfer window and new boy Vishinul Harris made an immediate impact in his second game, scoring the opener as the Clarendon-based team edged Cavalier SC 2-1 to close January with four out of five wins. The 12 points gained have now moved them to fourth place on 42, the same as defending champions Portmore United, and will be in a fight to try and attain the final automatic play-off spot. They will hope to use their domestic break wisely to prepare for league leaders Waterhouse, who they face on February 16.

WORST

Dunbeholden

Dunbeholden suffered two crushing defeats to end the month of January. Most recently, their 4-1 hammering by St Catherine rivals Portmore United has weakened their play-off position, now barely hanging on to sixth place with 35 points. They should be feeling quite uncomfortable with Cavalier, Tivoli Gardens and Harbour View all having opportunities to snatch the last play-off spot from them. The rest that they have gained from the pause in play will be crucial as they power through their remaining schedule, which starts with two games away against bottom club Vere United and 10th-place Molynes.

Cavalier SC

It has been far from a good start to the new year for Cavalier SC. They only managed to win once in January, their 4-0 romp over Molynes United on the 12th. Their latest defeat, a 2-1 loss away at Humble Lion, sees them in eight place on 32 points and only managing to accumulate four points from a possible 15. They face a difficult match against Tivoli Gardens when the domestic break is finished, a team that has clear play-off aspirations of their own.

Tivoli Gardens

Tivoli head coach Phillip Williams will be pleased at how his side performed in January. They accumulated 10 points from their five games, which included three straight wins to start the new year but they will be disappointed with how the month ended, losing 2-0 to Mount Pleasant. The club's remaining schedule will be tricky to navigate. They will face Cavalier, fellow outside contenders for the final play-off spot, before having to face league leaders Waterhouse and surging Portmore United back to back.

UWI FC

The Andrew Peart-coached team will not be waving the white flag yet, but they are running out of games to save themselves. They succumbed to their fifth home loss of the season, falling to Arnett Gardenss 3-1 on January 30 and remain in 11th place, eight points from safety. UWI FC's remaining schedule is tough, with games against Mount Pleasant, Cavalier, Waterhouse and Portmore United. They need wins from all those games, and Molynes continuing their descent down the table, to give them a chance to avoid the drop, a scenario that doesn't seem likely, given their current form.