DEFENDING JAMAICA Premier League champions Cavalier showed their championship mettle yesterday, registering a come-from-behind 4-1 victory over Dunbeholden at Sabina Park. Dunbeholden opened their account in the fifth minute of play, courtesy of a magnificent header from Dayshaniel Russell, alerting the champions that they were in for a contest. By the 32nd minute it was all square as the impressive Shaquille Stein responded with a header of his own, leaving goalkeeper Damian Hyatt grabbing for thin air.
Cavalier pressed the Dunbeholden defence and were rewarded in first-half added time through Christopher Ainsworth, who scrambled the ball across the line on the back of some chaotic defending. Cavalier started the second half in the same fashion with the in-form Jalmaro Calvin calmly making it 3-1 in the 53rd on the back of a classic counterattack. The closest Dunbeholden came to getting a second goal on the evening would present itself in the 58th minute through a Fakibi Farquharson free kick which he smashed against the post.
Cavalier, with their feet firmly on the gas pedal, missed out on going further ahead when Kalie Auvray failed to convert from the penalty spot in the 84th minute. But that disappointment was short-lived as debutant Odean Wilberforce made amends, hammering home a left-footed effort in the 89th. The defeat leaves Dunbeholden as the only team in the league yet to register a point.
Rudolph Speid, head coach of Cavalier, said conceding early goals is an imm.