Nelson’s brace gets Dunbeholden’s first win

by

November 23, 2023

Photo

Lenworth Hyde

Nicholas Nelson scored a brace for Dunbeholden to get their first goal and first win of the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) season after a 2-1 defeat of Lime Hall at Stadium East yesterday.

Both teams also missed first-half penalties in an eventful contest.

Dunbeholden coach, Lenworth Hyde, believes they are showing signs of progression, with the much-needed win being a vital boost to their season.

"We had numerous passes. We had control of the game, but you know the anxiety and the pressure that was on the team, we saw that today.

"When we went two up, we wanted the game to end. We wanted to win the game, so we made some mistakes there, but mentally, we will build and get better," Hyde reasoned.

Dunbeholden had the chance to go in front after only two minutes, when Kevin Graham was called for a hand ball in the area. However, goalkeeper Jaheim Williams made a brilliant save to deny Nelson.

Moments later, Dwyane Smith pulled down Ronaldo Brown in the box, and Sajay Anderson slotted home the resulting penalty to give Lime Hall an eighth-minute lead.

Dunbeholden drew level in the 14th minute after Ricardo Thomas got by his marker down the flank and crossed to Nelson, who volleyed home from the near post for the St Catherine-based Dunbeholden's first goal after more than 350 minutes of JPL action.

Lime Hall, however, had a glorious chance to retake the lead when Brown was fouled in the area, but this time, goalkeeper Damian Hyatt denied Anderson to keep the game tied at 1-1.

Nelson produced a moment of individual brilliance in the 35th minute to put Dunbeholden ahead. The speedy forward ghosted past his marker before toeing the ball into the far corner past Williams.

Dunbeholden are seventh in the points standing on five from five matches, moving from 13th position at the start of yesterday's round. However, they can be displaced lower in the standing after today's games.

Lime Hall coach Alfred Barnett said his players did not respond to his pre-match instructions.

"We tried to fix it, but the players for whatever reason weren't taking the instructions. Before we came on the pitch that was spoken about, but for some reason, they did not follow the instructions in the first half," Barnett said.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com