NEWCOMERS Racing United registered their second victory of the 2024/25 Jamaica Premier League (JPL) season following their hard fought 1-0 victory over fellow débutantes Chapelton Maroons at Sabina Park yesterday. Tyrone Mullings scored the winner in the 58th minute.

The win lifted Racing to eight points from eight games. They are 12th in the 14-team league just one spot below Chapelton who are on eight points from nine games. They have a similar goal difference but Chapelton have scored more goals, seven to Racing’s five.

The Maroons had chances to take the lead early in the encounter as Malike Stevens was gifted an opportunity in the ninth minute but his tame effort was easily handled by Racing United’s custodian Carlyle Holmes. As Racing slowly grew into the game, Mullings in the 22nd minute had his first glimpse on goal but failed to convert as he only managed to sky his effort. Both teams continued to trade goal scoring opportunities in the first half and Chapelton Maroons’ Neshawn Bennett, in the 34th minute, came very close but lifted his shot over the bar with only Holmes to beat.

In the second half it was Mullings who powered his team in the lead as he managed to skilfully get by goalkeeper William Vieira before smashing his effort into the back of the net. As the winners pressed for a second goal, Diamond Clarke was denied by a magnificent save from Vieira at his near post.

With the victory, Racing United ended their five-game winless streak, and according to Donovan Lofters, assistant coach of the team, it was a tactical approach to grind out a victory as the team was in a spot of bother, languishing at the lower end of the table.

“I’m happy that we could have finally put another win on the board. We decided that we needed some points as we didn’t need to please the spectators, and getting the three points was the greatest thing that could’ve happen for us today,” he said.

Oniel Thompson, head coach of Chapelton Maroons, stated that his team would have to continue working on being better at both ends of the field in order to get positive results on the field.

“We lacked composure in front of goal, but we just have to continue to work for longer periods. We also have to be tougher in defence as we can’t look at one end of the pitch. We weren’t as good as we should have been but we’ll continue to work,” he said.

orane.buchanan@gleanerjm.com [3]

Yesterday’s results

Humble Lion 0-1 Portmore

Mount Pleasant 3-1 Harbour View

Racing 1-0 Chapelton

Cavalier 2-1 Vere Phoenix

Montego Bay 2-1 Dunbeholden

Today’s games

5 pm: Molynes vs Waterhouse

7:30 p.m. Arnett Gardens vs Tivoli

Both games will be played at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex