TUCKER, St James — Nothing has changed in the objectives of Montego Bay United in this their third season in the Red Stripe Premier League set to start on Sunday.
“Every year we start the league we want to win it,” club president Orville Powell told the Jamaica Observer, describing last year’s campaign when they finished outside the top six after three rounds as “a disappointment”.The previous season, their first as Montego Bay United after changing their name from Seba United, they were sixth, but if Powell is to get his wish the only team from western Jamaica in the Red Stripe Premier League will be the one at the top at the end.MBU have not lost any player from the squad that finished the previous season, and with the addition of coach Donovan Duckie, Powell likes what he sees for the 2013-14 team.The players have grown since last year, he said, and with the experience and tactical awareness that Duckie brings, Powell thinks his team could make some serious ripples this season.Despite some challenges that have slowed their preparations, Powell said: “I see some maturity in the team and the players are developing a nice chemistry.”Bahamian Lesly St Fleur, who led the team with seven goals last year before injury ended his season, will return to lead the attack, and national striker Dino Williams will start his first season with the team that will also see Allan Ottey, as well as Mauracio Gordon, who returned to the team midway last season after starting the last campaign at Portmore United.Fabian McCarthy, who formed the backbone of the defence along with Cordel Simpson, Orlando McBayne and Ladale Richie, also scored three times last year, all from spot kicks.Goalkeeper Jacomeno Barrett, who is in the national set-up, will return as the first choice shot-stopper, while youngster Jermaine Woozencroft, who was one of the outstanding players for the team last season, leads a list of players who will be expected to play their part in the team’s success.Midfielder Keneil Kirlew, who represented the national Under-20 team, Aldaine Grant, Oraine Gaynor, Winston Wilkinson, and John Barrett will form part of the MBU youth brigade.Former national midfielder Lacon Brissett, who played part of last season at Rivoli United in the Super League, will lend some veteran leadership, along with team captain Dwayne Ambusley and Omar Gordon.There is no doubt in Powell’s mind that the team will do well, and he said there will be no complacency, or playing just to get into the play-offs in the new format that replaces the straight league that was played the past few seasons.“We have no plans to cruise at the start,” he said. “We want to win every game we play, and that will be our aim from day one,” Powell said.He said Duckie presented a new approach to coaching. “I like how he interacts with the players, there are some key things that he does that gets his points across, and at times he seems to be teaching more than coaching, and that comes across well.”MBU will split home games between the Montego Bay Sports Complex and the newly improved Wespow Park in Tucker this season.New Montego Bay United Head Coach Donovan Duckie (second left) takes his players through their paces at the UDC beach in Montego Bay recently. (PHOTO: PAUL REID)View the original article here
MBU"s aim remains to win RSPL
