Racing expect tough challenge against Chapelton Maroons

November 08, 2024
Ronaldo  Robinson (left) of Harbour View is challenged for the ball by Ranaldo Biggs of Racing United during their Jamaica Premier League football match at Stadium East on Sunday.
Ronaldo Robinson (left) of Harbour View is challenged for the ball by Ranaldo Biggs of Racing United during their Jamaica Premier League football match at Stadium East on Sunday.

Anthony Patrick, head coach of Racing United, will be expecting a tough day out against fellow promoted outfit Chapelton Maroons when the two face off on Sunday in the Wray and Nephew-sponsored Jamaica Premier League (JPL) at Sabina Park.

"It is going to be a tough one. They have a few players they brought in to bolster their squad and we did the same also. So I think it's going to be a tough one," Patrick said.

Racing sit just inside the relegation zone as they are currently 13th in the league with five points from seven games.

Chapelton boast a slightly better record with eight points but have played one more game than their opponents, sitting 11th in the league standings.

Patrick said the aim is to collect all three points in Sunday's outing, as they seek to climb out of the drop zone and begin their quest for survival in the nation's top flight.

Racing are no strangers to Chapelton, having last played them in the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Tier II final in June, where Chapelton edged Racing 2-1 in extra time.

"Both of us are coming up from the Tier II championship. We played them in the final and we had lost to them in that final," Patrick explained.

"That result is no bother to us now because we definitely want the three points. They are in front of us now but we need the three points as a team," he added.

Both teams enter the fixture reeling from a loss in their last outing, as Racing were defeated 3-1 by Harbour View while Chapelton were clipped 2-0 by Dunbeholden.

The match is slated to kick off at 3 p.m. It is the first of a doubleheader, playing before Cavalier FC and Vere Phoenix United draw battle lines at 5:30 p.m.

Cavalier, the defending champions, are seeking to return to winning ways, following consecutive draws against Mount Pleasant and Tivoli Gardens in their last two games.

The Rudolph Speid-led outfit sit fifth in the league with 12 points but hold the advantage, having played the least number of games this season.

Vere Phoenix trail ninth in the standings with eight points, having won just once in their last five games.

Also in action, league leaders Portmore United will travel to the Effortville Community Centre to take on Humble Lion in the hopes of extending their lead, while Mount Pleasant welcome Harbour View at Drax Hall Sports Complex.

Second-placed Montego Bay United will play host to Dunbeholden as they seek to close the gap on the league leaders.

However, they will face a spirited Dunbeholden who are enjoying an impressive four-game win streak.

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com

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