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Racing United, Vere in entertaining tie - Maroons content with Waterhouse draw
October 29, 2024
AFTER suffering back-to-back defeats in the Jamaica Premier League, newly-promoted Racing United eked out a point against Vere United in an entertaining 1-1 draw at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex on Monday night.
Vere United drew first blood as a Matthew Woo Ling corner managed to clip Racing's Shavaun Reid before creeping inside the net to score.
As Vere United continued their press for a bigger lead, they came close but Kyle Butler's shot from atop the 18-yard circle missed the target in the 38th minute.
In search of a positive result, Racing United went on an all-out press for an equaliser but after Vere United kept them at bay up until the 73rd minute, the Anthony Patrick-coached team got their much desired goal.
Renaldo Biggs netted the goal, after getting ahead of his marker to meet the ball, before slamming home his chance.
Donovan Lofters, assistant coach of Racing United, explained that there's still room for improvement.
"We're possessing the ball well but if we were finishing well we would have won three or more games already. We are conceding some goals but we have things to work on," Lofters said.
"We aren't here to make up numbers, but to compete," he stated.
Lenworth Hyde Sr., head coach of Vere United, shared that the draw was a fair result.
"It was a very exciting game. We went on the hunt and we got the early goal but it was a spirited performance from the Racing United team and the draw was a fair result," he believes.
In the earlier game, Chapelton Maroons and Waterhouse also played out a 1-1 draw as Lavaughn Williams' eighth-minute strike was cancelled out by Waterhouse's Javane Bryan's 78th minute header.
The game was highlighted by a stunning goal, and a controversial equaliser which led to a bottle-throwing incident.
Waterhouse managed to pull level in the 78th minute courtesy of a header from substitute Bryan.
The goal led to a stoppage of approximately 12 minutes as Chapelton Maroons' goalkeeper Prince Daniel-Smith Holmes clashed with Waterhouse supporters, which eventually saw him getting a second yellow card and being sent off.
Marcel Gayle, head coach of Waterhouse FC, stated that while his attackers weren't at their usually best, he was pleased with a point. He expressed also not being surprised that Bryan was the man who found the equaliser.
"We fought gallantly and I believe we were in control for most of the game. I think up front we were a little lacklustre, but such is the game. Who else but Javane Bryan," he remarked about the goalscorer.
Oneil Thompson, head coach of Chapelton Maroons, explained that getting a draw against Waterhouse is acceptable.
"We will continue to grow, learn as this is the second best result. If you don't win, then take a draw and this is one we can take. Waterhouse is a team that many tipped to be in the top six so we want to continue showing that we can compete," Thompson remarked.
