Racing take aim at Harbour View

After wins over Mount Pleasant and Cavalier in their two previous Jamaica Premier League (JPL) games, Racing United will aim for a third straight win when they host Harbour View at Ferdi Neita Park as part of a full state of matches today.

In other games, Montego Bay United entertain Waterhouse at Jarrett Park, Treasure Beach return to action for the first time since the passage of Hurricane Melissa against Portmore at STETHS, Dunbeholden play Tivoli at Dunbeholden Sports Complex, Chapelton take on Cavalier at Turners Oval, and Mount Pleasant host Police at Drax Hall. Those games begin at 3 p.m., while, Molynes and Arnett meet at the Drewsland Stadium at 5:30 p.m.

Following Racing’s 4-1 win over Cavalier and 1-0 win over Mount Pleasant, the St Catherine club climbed one place to second ahead of previous leaders Portmore United.

The Anthony Patrick-coached Racing have attracted many admirers, not only for their consistent results, but for their attractive brand of football, and assistant coach Marvin Tate said there is even more to come.

“Mount Pleasant brought out a glimpse of what this Racing team is capable of doing. And for the rest of the season, the fans will be seeing a lot more from this team that will make them proud,” said Tate.

However, since replacing Bjorn Thomas at Harbour View, Vassell Reynolds has steadied the ship somewhat, with two draws and a win in his three outings.

Under Reynolds, the team jumped five places to seventh in the standings with 13 points, However, Racing are a far more efficient unit and will start favourites against the former champions.

Meanwhile, after the three straight defeats, which culminated with defeat to bottom of the table Police on Monday, Waterhouse face off against MoBay, with coach Marcel Gayle facing an ultimatum to save his job.

Results for the Drewsland-based club have been far from favourable this season, and according to sources close to the club, the respected tactician, has been given three matches to turn fortunes around.

However, he will have one of the toughest challenges to kick-start that run of matches, with MoBay slowly returning to their best since the league resumed.

The league leaders scored their first win in three matches, beating Arnett in their previous game and MoBay coach, Xavier Gilbert, will be looking for an improved performance.

After two weeks since the resumption of the JPL, Treasure Beach, who were devastated by Hurricane Melissa, make their long-awaited return to the competition.

They face a Portmore team, smarting from their defeat to Mount Pleasant in their last game and coach Rodolph Austin said the aim is to get back on a winning track.

“The games have been coming quick and fast. We look forward to playing Treasure Beach. We are going to be their first game. We just have to go and play our football.

“We go into every game positively, trying to win. So that is our mindset. Treasure Beach have been really unfortunate in the Melissa situation and our hearts go out to them. But football is football and we will have to put 11 players on the field and the best team will win,” he commented.

Portmore are third in the table on 24 points, two behind MoBay and one adrift of Racing.

Spanish Town Police have little time to savour their first win of the season, as they travel to Drax Hall to face Mount Pleasant, eager to put their loss to Racing behind them.

The team sit at the foot of the table with five points and nine defeats from 12 games, but assistant coach Spencer Williams says they will continue to battle on to show they merit their spot in the top-flight

“We are taking it one game at a time. We are grateful and happy for the first win. We know we belong here and that we can play here. It’s a learning process for us and we will continue to learn. In winning and losing.

“We have Mount Pleasant next and we will try our best against Mount Pleasant, just the same. We believe we are supposed to be here and we will play Mount Pleasant like we will play any other team,” he stated.

At Turners Oval, champions, Cavalier, will look to rebound from back-to-back losses against Chapelton, who are hunting a first win in eight.

Tivoli travel to Dunbeholden as favourites, and look to return to winning ways after their three-match winning streak was ended by Mount Pleasant.

However, Dunbeholden are stubborn customers, with three draws in their last four, and will present a challenge.

Arnett have one win in their last five matches and will see second-from-bottom Molynes. But Molynes should not be taken lightly, after a win and a draw in their last two.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com

Today’s Games

MoBay vs Waterhouse at Jarrett Park - 3 p.m.

Treasure Beach vs Portmore at STETHS - 3 p.m.

Racing vs Harbour View at Ferdi Neita Park - 3 p.m.

Dunbeholden vs Tivoli at Dunbeholden Sports Complex - 3 p.m.

Chapelton vs Cavalier at Turners Oval - 3 p.m.

Mt Pleasant vs Police at Drax Hall - 3 p.m.

Molynes vs Arnett at Drewsland – 5:30 p.m.