Real Mona edge Cavalier 2-0 at Constant Spring to seal last JWPL Zone A semi-final berth

Real Mona will contest the Jamaica Women’s Premier League (JWPL) semi-finals after a 2-0 win over Cavalier in a Zone A meeting they had to win, staged yesterday at the Constant Spring Sports Complex.

Olivia Ashbourne put Real Mona ahead in the 17th minute and Shanae Ashley added the second in the 83rd. The outcome lifted Real Mona to second in Zone A on 17 points and into the last four, with Cavalier ending third on 15.

Neo Oxford, who leads Real Mona from the bench, said he never doubted the squad could deliver even after trailing by eight points with three rounds left.

“I think the girls came out. They did well. They played to the game plan, and they fought. That's what you want to see. I told everyone at the start of the season we're coming to bring something different to the league,” Oxford said after the match.

Because most of his roster are still school-aged, Oxford said early in the campaign the programme juggled schoolgirl football with JWPL duty. With the school term competition finished, he argued opponents are now seeing what Real Mona are capable of.

“The last time I was interviewed I said schoolgirl football is over, so anybody coming needs to beware, and that's exactly what we did,” Oxford said.

“I know what this team can do, and today, they showed that they know what they can do. That has been the most important part, getting them to realise despite playing big women that they have the potential to overcome any Goliath that comes."

Ashbourne, Real Mona’s top scorer, converted in the 17th minute with a forward’s finish. Keyonna Brown was left open on the right after a patient team move and crossed into the area; slack tracking let Ashbourne peel into the box and beat goalkeeper Ornella Lindsay.

Cavalier sought a reply before the break and Oneillia Perkins looked best placed when she latched onto a loose ball inside the area, but she steered her attempt past the frame.

Real Mona nearly added a second before the interval when Ashbourne’s corner picked out Breanna Mar, whose nod missed.

After halftime Cavalier pressed for a leveler while Real Mona protected their cushion. In the dying minutes Ashley, a recent Reggae Girl call-up and the club captain, settled it from distance: she collected possession just over the halfway line inside Cavalier territory and drove a long-range shot home.

Real Mona’s next assignment is a semi-final against three-time holders Frazsiers Whip. Arnett will meet Los Perfectos in the parallel semi.

Elsewhere on the day’s card, Arnett routed Proven Girls 6-0, WiFi United edged UWI 2-1, Los Perfectos thrashed Springers United 8-1, Frazsiers Whip hammered Real MoBay 9-1, and Federal United shut out Mile Gully 2-0.