Racing wary of ‘vengeful’ Mount Pleasant

Racing United coach, Anthony Patrick, expects Mount Pleasant will be seeking nothing less than revenge when his team travels to Drax Hall to face the Caribbean champions in the feature match of the Jamaica Premier League (JPL), starting at 3 p.m.

In other games, Montego Bay United take on Dunbeholden at Jarrett Park, while Portmore United play Chapelton Maroons at Ferdi Neita Park. Both games begin at 3 p.m.

At the Drewsland stadium, Molynes face Treasure Beach in the first game at 5 p.m., and Waterhouse battle Cavalier at 7:30 p.m.

Former leaders Racing scored a dramatic late winner against Mount Pleasant in their first-round meeting at Ferdi Neita, Patrick noting that the defeat was hard for the St Ann team to take and expect they will want to avenge that loss when they host them.

“They are coming to do that (get revenge). That (defeat) was a bitter one for them to take. So I know they are coming all guns blazing, but we are going to be prepared,” he said.

“Mount Pleasant, the last time we beat them. So this (game) definitely will be a humdinger.”

In Sunday’s 0-0 draw with Waterhouse, which kept Racing second in the table on 28 points, Patrick pulled midfield ace Nickyle Ellis in the second half, with attention already turned to this fixture.

Racing are on a run of three consecutive draws and Patrick added that getting back to winning ways against the fast-climbing Mount Pleasant would be ideal.

“That’s the reason why we pulled Ellis off the field early. We want him to finish that game on Sunday against Mount Pleasant.

“It would be nice to get the win against them, but we have to take it a day at a time. Going forward it is how we plan and strategies to go in that game, like how we did the first one.”

Since claiming the regional title in December, Mount Pleasant have steadily climbed the JPL table, moving from the lower half of the standings to fourth with 23 points.

Their only blot in that seven-game span was the defeat to Racing four matches ago. But similarly to the last time the team faced, Mount Pleasant were on a run of two wins and a draw.

Coach Theodore Whitmore’s team is well aware of the threat of their opponents. However, with just one goal conceded in their last seven JPL matches, he is pleased they continue to maintain defensive solidity, despite their offensive troubles in their last game.

“In the final third we could have been better, in terms of passing and shifting around the Molynes team. We were too slow in the offence,” he said.

“Defensively we were strong. We dealt with the Molynes threat. We kept a clean sheet.”

In the feature game of the Drewsland doubleheader, hosts Waterhouse hunt their first win under new coach, Javier Ainstein, who officially takes to the touchline this evening.

Ainstein, in an interview with Knockingz Tv recently, said he will look to implement a possession-based style with the Drewsland club, but that ultimately winning is the objective.

“I want to play possession with a good build-up from the back. We are trying to play with three at the back. We can change formation but the style, I am trying to give possession to the team,” he said.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com

Today’s Games

Molynes vs Treasure Beach at Waterhouse mini-stadium - 5 p.m.

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

Mount Pleasant vs Racing at Drax Hall - 3 p.m.

Portmore vs Chapelton at Ferdi Neita Park - 3 p.m

Waterhouse vs Cavalier at Drewsland - 7:30 p.m.

Tomorrow’s Games

Spanish Town Police vs Tivoli at Dunbeholden Sports Complex - 3 p.m.

Arnett vs Harbour View at Anthony Spaulding Complex - 7:30 p.m.