In a thrilling matchday of the Jamaica Premier League at Drewsland, a series of unexpected results have upended both the relegation battle and playoff contention in the third round of fixtures on Thursday. The most dramatic storyline came from the clash between Treasure Beach and top-flight side Waterhouse FC, where the underdog Treasure Beach pulled off a stunning 2-1 upset that lifted them out of the relegation zone – at least for the time being.
Treasure Beach entered the match mired in a nine-match winless drought, the worst slump in the league this season. But Karim Bryan broke the deadlock for the side in the 26th minute, and Jaheim Harris doubled their advantage just after the hour mark in the 64th minute. While Waterhouse forward Javane Bryan netted a late consolation goal in second-half stoppage time, the club missed a subsequent penalty that would have earned them a shared point, leaving the upset result intact. The three points lifted Treasure Beach to 34 total points, pushing them one point clear of Harbour View, who slipped back into the relegation zone after a lopsided defeat earlier in the day’s doubleheader.
That opening fixture of the Drewsland doubleheader saw Dunbeholden FC run riot over Harbour View, securing a dominant 4-0 win that ended their own two-match winless skid. The win was anchored by a first-half brace from Odane Samuels, who found the back of the net in the 35th and 40th minutes. Shakeen Powell extended the lead in the 71st minute, and Marlon Allen put the finishing touches on the rout seven minutes later to cap off the lopsided result.
Elsewhere at the Anthony Spaulding Complex, Arnett Gardens dealt a major blow to defending champions Cavalier SC’s bid for playoff qualification, earning a critical 2-1 win that tightens the race for the postseason. Kevaughn Wilson was the star of the contest, scoring a first-minute opener and adding his second just after halftime in the 47th minute. Though substitute Adrian Reid pulled one back for Cavalier in stoppage time to give the champions hope of a late equalizer, Arnett Gardens held firm to secure the full three points. The result leaves sixth-place Cavalier with 52 points, holding just a three-point advantage over seventh-place Arnett Gardens, with the gap between the two playoff contenders closing significantly.
At Drax Hall, Mt Pleasant FA put an end to their own three-match winless drought with a dominant 5-2 victory over Chapelton Maroons, after the two sides entered halftime deadlocked at 2-2. Raheem Edwards got Mt Pleasant on the board first in the third minute, only for Robino Gordon to equalize for Chapelton in the 32nd minute. Daniel Green restored Mt Pleasant’s lead six minutes later, but Leaunghn Williams once again drew Chapelton level right before the halftime whistle. The second half belonged entirely to Mt Pleasant, however: Kimoni Bailey reclaimed the lead for the side in the 56th minute, Jabarie Howell extended the margin to 4-2 in the 84th minute, and a late own goal by Chapelton in the ninth minute of stoppage time closed out the scoring. Chapelton, who have now dropped back-to-back matches, slipped to ninth place in the league table following the defeat.
In the final fixture of the round, Portmore United secured a narrow 1-0 win over Spanish Town Police at Royal Lakes, despite being reduced to 10 men just after the hour mark. Nickoy Gayle was sent off in the 52nd minute, forcing Portmore to play a man down for more than 30 minutes. Tarick Ximines provided the decisive moment for Portmore, scoring the match’s only goal in the 63rd minute to hold on for the full three points despite the numerical disadvantage.