Former Premier League champions, Cavaliers SC will face first-time finalist Mount Pleasant FC in the grand finale of the Jamaica Premier League after advancing from their respective semifinals at Sabina Park on Sunday.
The opening game of the doubleheader started with a bang with Mount Pleasant reaffirming their status as genuine title contenders after dismissing many-time champions Arnett Gardens 3-1 in their semi-final second leg to advance to the finals 5-3 on aggregate.
In what was already an exciting affair in their 2-2 first-leg draw, Mount Pleasant, who has proven to be a challenge for championship teams sent another reminder of their pedigree with a dominant performance against the ‘Junglists.’
Goals from Trivante Stewart and Shande James made the difference for the Theodore Whitmore-coached team as they pushed through to their first league final appearance.
Stewart put on a man-of-the-match performance with a brace in the 32nd and 39th minutes to further his charge for the Golden Boot Award.
The striker showed excellent composure under pressure inside the box, after receiving a through pass from Demario Phillips, before outpacing his marker and poking the ball past the on-rushing keeper from an acute angle to cancel Deandre Cunningham’s 14th-minute opener.
Stewart’s class was again on full display with a goal-of-the-season contender, as he expertly controlled a Kimoni Bailey lob into the area before turning the defender and firing a powerful half-volley for his 18th strike of the season to give Mount Pleasant the lead.
That advantage was extended in the second half as James ended any hopes of an Arnett comeback with an 85th-minute strike after taking possession against the run of play before slotting past an outstretched arm of the keeper to make it 3-1.
That would indeed be the final score after the 90 minutes as they confirmed their place in the 2023 finals.
Cavaliers SC were confirmed as their opponents in the season finale following a 3-0 aggregate result over Harbour View after a 2-0 victory in the second game at Sabina Park.
Golden boot candidate Collin Anderson again showed why he’s the top marksman this season after netting both goals to secure a return to the finals for the Cavs.
Anderson opened proceedings as early as the 11th minute with a headed effort through a strongly contested cross inside the Harbourview box to make it 1-0.
The striker needed no help for his second following an overlapping run in the box before outsmarting the defenders with a change of direction as his right-foot effort had too much pace for the Harbour keeper who reached in vain, as Collins doubled their lead.
That strike brought his tally to 19 goals for the season as the Cavs took a 2-0 advantage after 56 minutes.
2-0 is how it would remain as Harbour View struggled to find a way through the Cavaliers defense and eventually yielded at the whistle.
The result means the clubs with the two most lethal strikers will face off for both team and individual top honours come June 11.
Arnett and Harbour will battle it next Sunday as they line up for the third-place game.
