D’holden’s Thomas warns against complacency

Dunbeholden maintained their position atop the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) thanks to Peter McGergor's 27th-minute goal against Vere United at Sabina Park on Monday.

Now, head coach Harold Thomas has called on his players to be careful not to get complacent.

"It (maintaining form) depends on our mentality, if we can keep the focus and remain consistent and not get carried away," he said. "Because this is the second round, and every team will be coming very hard, we want them to understand that every team is going to come at you and we have to be prepared to get some ugly wins and some good wins."

Dunbeholden have been one of the most consistent teams since the start of the competition and that culminated with the St Catherine club rising to the top of the league in the last game of the first round, a 1-0 win over Harbour View.

Although many believe they are pushing above their weight, Thomas contends that they are the real deal and they intend to be there at the end.

"'Underdogs' is just people's view of us," he said. "Our conviction is to play good football and see where that takes us and we are confident that it can take us into the top half of the league. We have to maintain top four after the start that we have had (second round). We cannot afford anything less."

Dunbeholden controlled the game and had a number of opportunities in the first half. They eventually got the breakthrough when Vere goalkeeper Shaquan Davis could only parry a shot into the path of McGregor, who slotted home.

Vere were much better at containing their opponents in the second half, although Dunbeholden were always in control but were let down by their passing and decision making in the final third.

Dunbeholden's best chance to add to their lead fell to top scorer Atapharoy Bygrave, but he put his effort wide after he was picked out by Demario Phillips at the top of the six yard box.

"We are creating numerous chances and only winning (games) 1-0," Thomas said. "So our conversion rate has to be better. It is something we have to work on."

Vere coach Donovan Duckie thought his team gave a creditable performance but was let down by simple errors.

"On the first initial save, maybe the goalkeeper could've punched the ball," Duckie said. "But our reaction was not good, and it was the same against Waterhouse. It was the same goal we conceded after the goalkeeper made a save. So our reaction is poor in the box.

"In the first half, we could have gone on the scoresheet. But they were the better team, they were much stronger, better in transition. We were organised but it didn't happen for us. But it is still early days and we are looking for the day when we can go three games unbeaten and we haven't done that. We have been very inconsistent and dismal in front of goal and that sums up our season so far."

Dunbeholden lead the standings with 28 points, two more than Waterhouse, and four ahead of Arnett Gardens. Vere stayed ninth with 10 points.

In the day's other game, Portmore United and Tivoli battled to a 1-1 draw. Ranike Anderson put Tivoli in front in the 15th minute but Keny Charleston equalised for Portmore a minute before halftime.