Technical director of Vere United FC, Craig Butler, blamed a short-handed squad for the team's 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Montego Bay United as the 2024-25 Wray & Nephew Jamaica Premier League kicked off with first-round matches yesterday. "First of all, congratulations to Montego Bay United, it was a hard-fought win," Butler said of the match played on their home turf at Wembley in Clarendon. "It was a good effort from the players that played.
We were short in numbers in terms of the players we had available, with at least 14 players not able to play," he stated. In a game billed as a clash between two new coaches, the Lenworth Hyde-coached Vere United were looking to get off to an impressive start against a Montego Bay United side with new coach Rodolfo at the helm. However, it was the Montego Bay unit which impressed when they opened the scoring early in the first half through a set piece.
Captain Owayne Gordon delivered a pinpoint free kick from the left side into the Vere box, which found the head of Jordan Britto, who capitalised on some poor marking to head home in the seventh minute. Vere United responded positively and found an equaliser just before halftime. Lorenzo Lewin's corner kick was initially cleared, but the ball rebounded to him.
His second cross into the box was met by Damion Thomas, who nodded in from close range in the 11th minute to make it 1-1. The second half saw Montego Bay assert their dominance as the tide turned decisively in their favour, than.