It took 120 minutes of grit, a nerve-wracking sudden-death shootout, and one decisive miss under the lights of the National Stadium, but Cavalier are once again kings of the Wray and Nephew Jamaica Premier League.
In a tepid final that mirrored the chess-like caution of last year’s showdown, Cavalier held their nerve from the spot to defeat fierce rivals Mount Pleasant FA 6-5 on penalties after a goalless draw in regulation and extra time on Friday. The result secured back-to-back titles for the Rudolph Speid-coached outfit and marked their third championship in five seasons.
More significantly, it was the second time in three years that the two clubs — now firmly the flag-bearers of domestic football — needed penalties to settle the score in a final, and Cavalier again emerged with bragging rights to push their overall title tally to four, having broken a 40-year drought in 2021.
It was a final low on flair but high on discipline as both teams, well-drilled and familiar with each other’s style, cancelled each other out in a tense affair where chances were scarce and goalkeepers stood firm.
Mount Pleasant carved out the better openings in regular time, with Devonte Campbell and Franco Celeste combining effectively in the fifth minute, only to be denied by Cavalier’s reliable shot-stopper and Man of the Match Vino Barclett.
Jashaun Anglin, one of Mount Pleasant’s livelier sparks, tested Barclett with a driven effort in the 14th, while Jamilhio Rigters sent a teasing cross to Shaquille Stein at the 24th, only for the latter to squander a free header.
As Mount Pleasant pressed, Cavalier's defence, marshalled by Richard King and Jeovanni Laing, stood firm. Laing, however, courted danger in the 43rd when he brought down Daniel Green just outside the box, but Anglin’s resulting free-kick failed to trouble Barclett.
Cavalier's best look in the second half came via a Dwayne Atkinson free kick in the 59th, but King could not connect cleanly. Mount Pleasant responded through Anglin, whose darting run and shot in the 61st forced another sharp save from Barclett.
The 80th minute nearly swung the tie when Daniel Green’s powerful effort was tipped over brilliantly. And moments later, Raheem Edwards, sent through by captain Sue-Lae McCalla, fired wide under pressure.
Then came a moment that stilled the stadium. In extra time, Atkinson, Cavalier’s lively winger, went down and was seemingly unresponsive. After a prolonged delay that saw him given oxygen on the field, he was stretchered off, leaving the stadium in collective concern.
Despite a late Mount Pleasant flurry, including a Nicholas Nelson header off the post in the 117th minute, neither side could break the deadlock, and it was down to the dreaded penalty shootout, which is cruel by design.
Cavalier opened the scoring through Richard King but soon saw Christopher Ainsworth falter. Still, they recovered with Adrian Reid Jr., Chad James, and Alexavier Gooden all converting. When Laing and Rigters struck in sudden death, it was Mount Pleasant’s turn.
After early success from Raheem Edwards, Nicholas Nelson, Jashaun Anglin, and Daniel Green, while McCalla skied his 12-yard kick, the pressure fell on Fitzroy Cummins, who converted, and then Clifford Thomas. With the score at 6-5, the Haitian stepped up only to misfire.
Earlier in the evening, Arnett Gardens got the better of Montego Bay United 4-2 in the third-place playoff, a win that earned them the right to defend their CFU Club Shield title later this year.