Racing to start favourites among JPL hopefuls
Published:Sunday | June 25, 2023 | 2:07 AMLivingston Scott - Gleaner Writer
RACING UNITED will start strong favourites over Lime Hall when the teams meet in the first leg of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) National Tier II semifinal at Prison Oval, today at 3:30 p.m.
In the other semifinal, Treasure Beach and Tru-Juice will square off in what is expected to be a more even contest at Breds Sports Park in St Elizabeth.
Racing United of St Catherine topped the Tier II standings after 13 games with 10 wins and only one defeat, scoring 60 goals in the process.
The Anthony Patrick-coached team also boasts two of the league’s top scorers in Raheem Edwards and Mikyle Williams, while Nickyle Ellis, Shavaun Reid, Jevaughn Cole and DeAndre Johnson should provide good support.
Lime Hall advanced to the last four after edging out fifth-place Meadforest by two points on the last match day.
The St Ann footballers have eight wins and three draws from their 13 games and have competent players like Carlos Campbell, O’Neil Henry, and Jaheed Hanson and will fancy their chances of an upset.
Meanwhile, Treasure Beach, who reached this stage of the competition last season, will be expecting to go a step further this term but they will not have it easy against a Tru-Juice team considered one of the better ball-playing teams in the league.
Treasure Beach came into the final round of games tied on points with Racing, who won the final game between the teams to top the table by three points.
SLIGHT EDGE
Nevertheless, the St Elizabeth club boasts nine wins and two draws from their preliminary fixtures and go into the match with the slight edge.
Kadeem Stone will lead the charge for Treasure Beach along with Jordan Blake, Ferron Messam and Shanoy Smith.
However, of the four semifinalists, Treasure Beach have conceded the most goals (14) coming into the playoffs.
Tru-Juice are the second-highest scoring team in the league behind Racing with 35 goals and can beat any team on a good day.
Damion Herrera, Colieke Richards and Tedj Bryan will carry the hopes of the St Catherine team.