Dunbeholden off the mark

It took five matches, but Dunbeholden finally registered their first victory of the 2026-27 Jamaica Premier League (JPL) season, scoring a 1-0 win over Molynes United at the Dunbeholden Sports Complex yesterday.

It was also their first points of the season. It moved them off the foot of the table and into 11th place.

Tuwain Merrick notched the all important goal, 66 minutes into the match. The home team then had to hold off a string of Molynes attacks late in the second half, but goalkeeper Vacoub Prosper kept his team in front with several good saves, the best a fine double save moments after Dunbeholden had gone ahead.

“First of all, I want to say thanks to the Lord. Without HIM this wouldn’t be possible, “ Dunbeholden coach Alex Thomas declared post-match. “The players, hats off to them. I am happy we got these three points for the fans so they can keep coming to support us. We, my management staff and myself, will keep planning every week. We remained focused and we stuck to our objectives and this is what happened, “ he said.

After a cagey first few minutes, Dunbeholden took control of the game and had the better openings but nothing clear cut.

After the break, Molynes slowly came into their own, but Dunbeholden took the lead following a great build-up, which ended with Merrick hitting a low curler past Glenroy Samuels in the Molynes goal.

Molynes threw everything forward after going behind and only Prosper’s saves denied Dhumar McLaughlin and Oquassa Chong in quick succession.

“That goalkeeper is a very good goalkeeper. The sky’s the limit for him,” Thomas continued. “Very important three points. It feels like a 12-pointer.

“This three points will give us confidence because winning 1-0 wasn’t easy. We scored and we fought to the end, and we stuck together as a team right through; and that is what we wanted and it can only get better from here.”

The win lifted Dunbeholden three places off the bottom into 11th, and one point and one place ahead of Molynes in 12th.

Molynes coach Jermaine Thomas believes they were again let down by poor finishing.

“Tough one. Tough loss. We were really dominant, especially in the second half. Thought we created some real good opportunities, but at this level if you do not take those opportunities you are going to be in trouble, “ said the Molynes coach.

Meanwhile, in the feature match, Montego Bay United turned back Cavalier 3-1, while Humble Lion and Chapelton drew 0-0 in another game.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com