If ever Cavalier needed a confidence-boosting performance after their Caribbean Cup final defeat to Suriname's Robinhood, they got in in a come-from-behind Wray and Nephew Jamaica Premier League win over reigning champions Mount Pleasant at Sabina Park on Monday.
The win was sweetened by the fact that Cavalier, who lost Jeovanni Laing to a second yellow in the 57th minute, not only achieved it with 10 players, but were also the first time to inflict defeat on Mount Pleasant so far this season.
Shaneil Thomas, who led their Caribbean Cup charge from the front with over five goals, started the comeback in the 73rd minute, before Antiguan Jalmaro Calvin, made the three points safe in the 82nd. Former Arnett Gardens captain Romeo Guthrie earlier gave Mount Pleasant a 50th-minute lead.
With the win, Cavalier jumped up to sixth on 11 points, while Mount Pleasant remain atop the standings on 19 points.
Winning coach Rudolph Speid lauded his team for a performance that's true to their character.
"It was a difficult match; we were like 10th, and we are not used to being down there. We lost two matches in a row, again we are not accustomed to losing two games in a row, so I had a good feeling about this game, and after going down to 10, the boys showed character," Speid beamed.
"I know that they (Mount Pleasant) expected me to come and play three at the back, but this time we go played four because they had two wingers, and the wing back was overlapping so we were prepared to counter that. The red card kind of set is back a bit, but we were determined.
"We have a winning mentality; our right back is only 17 years old his first game in this pressure situation, so we have a winning mentality. From training that's how we operate against each other, and they just never give up," he added.
After playing out a goalless first half in which Thomas of Cavalier had the best of the few chances created between both teams, as his close-range effort was kept out by Shaquan Davis, who got down well to his right, Mount Pleasant broke the deadlock five minutes into the resumption.
Devante Campbell, who gave a workmanlike shift on the left channel, provided a cross that was headed down by Dwight Merrick for Guthrie to finish through Davis's legs.
Despite Laing's dismissal from their backline minutes later, Cavalier fought on and went close to snatching an equaliser in the 71st, but Davis did well to deny Dwayne Allen's effort from the top of the 18-yard box.
They eventually pulled level two minutes later when Thomas picked himself up and scored from the 12-yard spot, after being felled inside the danger area by substitute Shande James.
Before Mount Pleasant could settle back into their rhythm, they found themselves behind nine minutes later when Calvin met, and expertly steered Gadial Irvings' weighted corner kick into the far corner, for his third of the season.
Mount Pleasant tried desperately to get back on level terms, and almost did so from a 92nd-minute goalmouth melee, which eventually ended with substitute Nathaniel James's left-footed effort being parried by Cavalier's goalkeeper Vino Barclett, who recovered well to parry.
Cavalier also went close in time added, through Thomas, who on the break and had time and space for a shot, which was kept out by Davis.
Mount Pleasant's Head coach Theodore "Tappa" Whitmore blamed complacency for their downfall.
"It was a good game but unfortunately we came out on the wrong end, but I think it was a well-deserved victory for Cavalier because after we went up 1-0, we got complacent, we know the Cavalier team knows how to play with 10 men and they showed that again tonight. We gave them too many options in the last half and it cost us," Whitmore stated.
Matchweek 9 results
Dunbeholden FC 2, Tivoli Gardens 2
Waterhouse 1, Portmore United 1
Vere United 2, Humble Lion 1
Treasure Beach 1, Montego Bay United 2
Lime Hall 1, Arnett Gardens 1
Molynes United 2, Harbour View 2
Cavalier 2, Mount Pleasant 1
Shaneil Thomas (left) started Cavalier's comeback.
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