Wed | Nov 27, 2024

Portmore move to top of JPL with 4-0 win

Published:Monday | November 4, 2024 | 12:09 AMOrane Buchanan/Staff Reporter
Harbour View’s Andre Fagan (left) prepares to take a shot at goal as Racing United’s Anthony Thompson (centre) moves to block during yesterday’s Jamaica Premier League match at the Stadium East field. Looking on at right is Dijon Grant of Racing Unit
Ian Allen
Harbour View’s Andre Fagan (left) prepares to take a shot at goal as Racing United’s Anthony Thompson (centre) moves to block during yesterday’s Jamaica Premier League match at the Stadium East field. Looking on at right is Dijon Grant of Racing United.

FORMER national champions Portmore United moved to top spot in the Jamaica Premier League with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Molynes United yesterday.

Portmore lead the standings with 16 points from eight games, two ahead of Montego Bay United and Waterhouse, who have both played seven games. The lead could change tonight as Waterhouse and Montego Bay will meet in the feature game at the Waterhouse Mini Stadium at 7:30.

Junior Grizzle from the penalty spot in the 40th minute, Javier Brown in the 66th, Romeo Guthrie (78th), and Omar Reid (85th) were the scorers for Portmore. Molynes remain at the bottom of the league with four points from eight games.

At the Stadium East field, a double strike in the first half by veteran Andre Fagan and a stoppage-time penalty from Rohan Brown put Harbour View back on the winning trail. They defeated newcomers Racing United 3-1.

Uncertainty in the Racing United backline led to Harbour View’s opener in the second minute as Fagan managed to lob Racing United’s custodian Carlyle Holmes. Racing United then had a glorious chance to equalise in the 11th minute through Ranaldo Biggs, but his powerful left-footed strike was stopped by the diving Demeleio Fer.

Fagan gave his team a 2-0 lead in the 19th minute as he found space in the box and easily converted to notch up his third goal of the season.

As Harbour View continued their dominance in the encounter, Romario Gibbs was presented with a glorious chance to get on the score sheet, but his shot on goal was stopped by goalkeeper Holmes. Racing United, in the 71st minute, were given a lifeline as Casseam Priestley, in a bid to clear his lines, could only manage to kick his clearance inside his own net. While Racing United pressed for an equaliser, the game was put to bed by Brown in stoppage time as he converted a penalty to give his team their third win of the season.

Jason Henry, head coach of Harbour View, stated that while keeping possession of the ball was part of their plans, he was pleased that his team scored three goals on the day.

“Once you have the ball, your opponents can’t hurt you. We’ve been creating a lot of chances from the start of the season, and it’s pleasing to see that we could score three goals and get the three points,” he stated.

Donovan Lofters, assistant coach of Racing United, explained that errors in communicating cost his team.

“In the first half we were a bit disorganised. We weren’t communicating, and we were too emotional. The coaching staff calmed the players but, sadly, another error late in the game cost us as we pressed for an equaliser,” Lofters said.

orane.buchanan@gleanerjm.com

Yesterday’s results

Dunbeholden 2-0 Chapelton

Harbour View 3-1 Racing

Humble Lion 1-2 Arnett Gardens

Portmore 4-0 Molynes

Tivoli 1-1 Cavalier

Today’s games

5 p.m: Vere Phornix vs Mount Pleasant

7:30 p.m.: Waterhouse vs Montego Bay

Both games will be played at the Waterhouse Mini Stadium.