Mount Pleasant Football Academy continued their return to form in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) with a 1-0 win over Arnett Gardens at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex yesterday, a result that lifted them above their opponents in the third instead of the table.

It was the fourth victory in five games for the St Ann-based club. They are now 37 points, one more than Arnett Gardens and five adrift of leader Dunbeholden.

With three games to go, Mount Pleasant coach Nick Eaden said his side were still battling for a place in the top two in the regular season and yesterday’s result left them in good stead.

“It was quite a battle. We knew it was going to be a tough game because there was a lot at stake,” he said.

He also noted that their turnaround in form is the result of an adjustment to the team’s strategy.

“Sometimes this season we got caught when we tried to tighten up and I think that (style) suits the players more. And this victory puts us in third position,” he said.

Both teams created good openings in the first half with Ronaldo Cephas missing a simple header early and Shandee James firing a shot wide for Arnett.

Mount Pleasant’s Trivante Stewart delivered a right kick to goalkeeper Eric Edwards from five yards out and teammate Ricardo Morris’ hard shot was saved well.

However, six minutes into the second half, Stewart found the winner. He held off Ezran Simpson and beat Edwards for the game’s only goal.

Arnett came close and nearly got a point at the death, but Shaven Sean Paul turned Fabian Reid’s weak drive in the face of goal and just out of reach of a rushing Arnett player.

Arnett’s coach Paul Davis said poor finishing was their downfall.

“We are convinced that this team can go far. We just have to try our luck. When you make mistakes and other teams try their luck, it will cost you the game.

“So I thought we had Mount Pleasant on the back foot and even a point we should have gotten out of the game with,” he said.

[email protected]