Mount Pleasant solidified their position as the team to beat in the Wray and Nephew Jamaica Premier League (JPL), as they defeated Arnett Gardens 2-0 in a top-of-the-table clash at Drax Hall, St Ann, on Sunday.

Goals from Raheem Edwards in the third minute and Franco Celestin in the 78th sealed the win, which extended Mount Pleasant’s unbeaten streak to 11 matches and propelled them six points clear at the top of the standings with 43 points.

Arnett Gardens, second on 37 points, now face the possibility of slipping to third should Montego Bay United, on 34 points, secure a victory against Molynes United on Monday.

Mount Pleasant wasted no time asserting their dominance as they broke the deadlock just three minutes in when Edwards found space outside the 18-yard box and unleashed a shot that left Arnett goalkeeper Roje Williams flat-footed. Williams’ half-hearted attempt at a save summed up a sluggish start for the visitors.

The hosts continued to press and went close to doubling the lead in the 22nd minute when Kimoni Bailey delivered a well-weighted cross that Edwards narrowly missed connecting with.

Arnett’s best chance of the half came in the 20th minute when Shai Smith whipped a dangerous ball across the face of goal, but Jeremy Nelson, poorly positioned, failed to convert.

Despite some threatening moves from Mount Pleasant, including a 35th-minute one-two combination between Devonte Campbell and Shaqueil Bradford that was thwarted by a recovering defender, they failed to add to their tally at halftime.

Arnett Gardens attempted to wrest control on the resumption and almost pulled level when Smith outmuscled a defender in the 51st minute and got a shot off after a clever through ball from Nelson, but Mount Pleasant’s goalkeeper Shaquan Davis was equal to the task.

Campbell and Bradford continued to combine well for Mount Pleasant with Campbell sending a dangerous cross into the box in the 56th minute. However, Bradford misjudged the bounce and failed to make the critical touch.

The St Ann-based team eventually delivered the decisive blow in the 78th minute. After Arnett Gardens failed to clear their lines, Celestin pounced on the loose ball and drove a powerful left-footed shot that deflected slightly, wrong-footing Williams for the second time.

Arnett Gardens had little response from there and Daniel Green almost inflict more damage as he broke free and chipped the advancing Williams, but Deandre Cunningham raced back to clear the ball off the line in time added.

Despite win, Mount Pleasant’s head coach Theodore Whitmore felt his team had much more to give.

“One thing I can tell you, it wasn’t the free-flowing style of Mount Pleasant so when we can play games like this and come out victorious and keep a clean sheet, then it augurs well for us. Its training ground stuff…anything you see we do on match days it is what we practice. We prepare the team for this Arnett Gardens team and the results speaks for itself,” Whitmore said post-game.

His counterpart Xavier Gilbert was disappointed with the outcome.

“I am disappointed, especially with the way we conceded those goals. We knew that we had to create chances especially against such a top opposition, those kind of chances you have to find at least one in the back of the net. And we did create chances and we were just unfortunate that we didn’t find the ball in the back of the net,” he stated.

Sunday’s results

Humble Lion 1, Chapelton Maroons 0

Mount Pleasant 2, Arnett Gardens 0

Portmore United 4, Harbour View 0

Tivoli Gardens 2, Dunbeholden FC 0

Vere United 0, Waterhouse FC 3