Racing, Chapelton win again in JPL

Racing United and Chapelton Maroons are the unexpected early leaders of the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) after victories over traditional giants Harbour View and Waterhouse, respectively, yesterday.

Racing United came from behind to stop Waterhouse, which had an untactful sending off two minutes from time, 2-1 at Drewsland; while Chapelton defeated Harbour View 2-0 at Stadium East to remain the only two teams with perfect win records. Racing lead the tables though, on goal difference.

At Drewsland, Tajay Grant fired the visitors in front in the 37th minute, but a Marcovich Brown own goal in the 48th minute put the home team back on even terms.

However, two minutes from the end Omani Leacock was shown the red card for Waterhouse, and four minutes into added time DeAndre Johnson fired home the winner for Racing.

At Stadium East, Chapelton Maroons with goals from Brazilian winger Marcos Roas Filho three minutes before half-time, and a Carlton Brown laser strike from 28 yards out in the 54th minute, gave the Clarendon club a deserve win over Harbour View.

"Full credit must be given to the staff," said Chapelton's coach Donovan Duckie. "They are doing a wonderful job. Everyone is doing their part, and the most important stakeholders, the players, they are very disciplined, they work hard in training with a high level of competitiveness.

"It's early days but we are seeing the reward of that work."

At Dunbeholden playing field, Spanish Town Police FC hosted the home team at their ground, and it was a day to remember for the newcomers, who went down 1-0, for a second straight defeat.

Spanish Town Police lost defender Shamar Harris in the 76th minute to a red card and four minutes from time Nicholas Nelson got the all-important goal to give Dunbeholden the three points.

In the late game at Stadium East, Portmore United FC and Tivoli Gardens FC battled to a 0-0 draw.

The first half had very few chances, although Tivoli Gardens showed the greater initiative to go forward.

However, late in the first half it was Portmore who took control and looked more threatening, and had a few good openings.

Tivoli had the best chance of the half, only for Barrington Pryce to volley over the bar from 18 yards out.

Portmore carried their momentum into the second half and Ronaldo Robinson and Tedj Bryan tested goalkeeper Diego Haughton with good efforts

In the end none of the teams were was able to find a winner, despite a frantic finish.

"There is not a lot to talk about offensively. But both teams didn't want to give away anything, as it is the early part of the season. But today we fought stoutly and our goalkeeper (Diego) Haughton did well," said Tivoli's coach Jerome Waite.

Portmore's coach Rodolph Austin said they needed to be a bit more patient in attack.

"We got a few chances to score in the first half but we didn't. Tivoli grew into the game. They played a low block and tried to catch us on the counter, and we weren't able to break them down,"Austin said.

"But we had to be more patient and break them down. We were rushing it and they have their strength at the back, so we have to go back and work on it," he said.

Portmore maintained their unbeaten start to the league and sit third in the table on four points, two points adrift Racing and Chapelton.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com