WAIT AND SEE

Like many of their challengers, Montego Bay United (MBU) remain in limbo as to what will happen to the JFF Western Zone CONFED campaign, put on hold by the Coronavirus.

The virus, which affects the respiratory system and has caused a forced halt to all sporting activities worldwide, is significantly impacting the Tucker-based club, according to their coach and former top midfielder, Dwayne Ambursely.

“The shutdown is very bad and it has significantly impacted us as a club (MBU),” Ambursley said in an interview with the Western Mirror. Ambursley shared that the happenings are in a very negative way, as they are unable to get the players out for training due to the safety measures implemented.

Despite the setback and the lack of communicating face to face with the players, coach Ambursley revealed that “a weekly programme is sent out that each player should follow in a bid to maintain certain conditioning and fitness level”.

He, however, lamented that, “MBU as a club was not able to carry the duties of providing daily meals to the team members. That mandate has been left up to the players themselves who are in their respective homes.”

Ambursely further laments that, “the unit was in a very good place at the stoppage and is bracing for the resumption,” which he is hoping would not have affected the flow of the team which had enjoyed resurgence after a somewhat slow start.

“However, at the moment, we just hope for the best as we are just not able to do anything and it’s not just here, it’s worldwide and we’re just bracing ourselves as we plot and await the way forward” Ambursley said.

Montego Bay United (MBU) are aiming for a swift return to the Premier League, and are poised to be among the semi-finalists, the first significant step.

MBU, who suffered relegation from the National Premier League at the end of the 2018/19 campaign and have two titles from three finals appearances, occupy one of the top four spots, sitting third in the standings on 22 points.

The tally leaves them three points adrift of top spot occupiers Falmouth (25) and just two behind second placed Faulkland (24).
MBU scored victories in each of their last five matches, the last of which saw them slamming in five goals, their most in any of the games to date.

The former Premier League champions hold the second best attacking record, scoring some 22 goals from their 11 matches, a tally bettered only by Faulkland with 28.

The unit also has the second best defensive record, allowing just seven goals, bettered only by the table toppers and mid-season champions Falmouth, who have allowed just three.

With just five games remaining when play resumes, the MBU team must remain focused and in-form if they are to maintain their current stance as three teams below them, Reno, Sandals South Coast and last year’s beaten finalists Wadadah, are hot on their heels with 18, 18 and 17 points respectively.

Noelita Lawrence-Ricketts