Racing keep Mount Pleasant winless

Racing United handed Mount Pleasant Academy their second straight defeat of the season in the Jamaica Premier League after securing a 1-0 victory at Ferdi Neita Park yesterday.

Tajay Grant scored the decisive goal for Racing in the 53rd minute.

Racing, who recorded their second consecutive victory of the season, ended the match with 10 players after Grant was sent off in the 90th minute for violent conduct.

The Theodore Whitmore-coached Mount Pleasant, who were beaten 4-0 by Tru-Juice in their opening match, are now winless this season.

The quality of play in the first half was below par as both teams failed to create any meaningful chances. Mount Pleasant striker Warner Brown, from whom much is expected this season following the departure of last season’s leading goalscorer Raheem Edwards, looked out of sorts.

In fact, Brown was caught offside on several occasions by the assistant referee during the opening period.

Most of Mount Pleasant’s attacking threat came through Trayvonne Reid down the left wing, but his in-swinging crosses into the 18-yard box failed to find teammates.

Racing United’s best chance of the first half fell to Grant, but his close-range effort sailed high over the crossbar as the teams went into the break locked at nil-all.

The second half was a different story. Racing started brightly and were awarded a penalty three minutes after the restart when Grant was brought down inside the box by Mount Pleasant defender Fitzroy Cummings.

Grant stepped up and fired past goalkeeper Shaquan Davis to give his team the lead.

The game quickly sprang to life and, minutes later, Brown came close to equalising for Mount Pleasant, but his close-range header from a corner struck the crossbar.

Mount Pleasant pushed desperately for an equaliser but were kept at bay by a well-organised Racing United defensive unit.

Substitute Nicholas Nelson thought he had rescued a point for Mount Pleasant in the 80th minute, but his effort from point-blank range sailed over the crossbar.

Yesterday’s results

Racing United 1-0 Mount Pleasant Academy

Treasure Beach 1-1 Tivoli Gardens

Montego Bay United 0-0 Tru-Juice

Chapelton 2-1 Molynes United