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As the first team to be relegated from the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) this season, Vere Phoenix United captain Matthew Woo Ling said the club hopes to end the season with dignity as they chase positive results.

Vere were defeated 3-1 by Arnett Gardens on Monday to further sink their season in a downward spiral.

The defeat was Vere's 24th loss of the season as the Clarendon-based club sits at at the bottom of the JPL standings with 23 points.

Despite the result, however, Woo Ling believes the team still possesses their fighting spirit to end the season with a turn in form.

"The team is feeling a bit disappointed of course because we always come out to compete and we always want to win every game that we play. So yes, it's disappointing but we have a young core of players so it's just a little process," he said.

"The mindset is to compete and to win and keep in good spirits. Coming back from a difficult result, we need to come together as a group and stick together and not to blame each other. We need to keep motivating each other and keep competing."

With two games left in their season, Woo Ling is confident the club can exit the top-flight with some dignity as he urged his teammates to show their character in spite of their difficult campaign.

"We're not going to lie down and let any team walk over us. As I said before, we have a young core of players and we'll keep fighting," he said. "We just need to keep growing and keep building and it's a learning process for them."

The Trinidadian international also believes as the team continues to play games, then it's core of young players will also mature in their play styles.

Woo Ling describes it as a 'learning process' for the club who will be hoping to return to the JPL in the coming years.

"I think it has to do a lot with maturity. We have a lot of young players so we have to know the moments when we need to increase the tempo or slow down the pace to suit our style. But as I said, it's a learning process."

Vere will end their season with games against Harbour View and Chapelton Maroons.

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com