Mount Pleasant cut Racing’s stride in JPL

Leaders Mount Pleasant Football Academy of St Ann dented Racing United FC's chances of making the top six, by defeating the Portmore-based team 2-1 in their Jamaica Premier League rescheduled football match at Drax Hall Sports Complex, St Ann, on Thursday.

Racing United are involved in a tense three-way battle with sixth-place Waterhouse FC and Tivoli Gardens FC, in seventh, for the sixth and final playoff spot. All three teams are closely bunched, with Waterhouse in pole position on 49 points, and Tivoli Gardens and Racing one point behind, with 48 each. The teams trailing in ninth and 10th, Chapelton Maroons and Dunbeholden FC, respectively, are far behind and pose no threat to the trio chasing sixth spot.

Prior to Thursday's fixture, Racing had two games in hand. In their failure to register a point yesterday, they got off to the worst possible start when defender Marcovich Brown inadvertently turned the ball past his goalkeeper for an own goal that gave Mount Pleasant a 1-0 lead at the sixth minute.

In spite of the disappointment, Racing United showed character and fought back to tie the contest 1-1, when one of their chief offensive players 22-year-old striker Ranaldo Biggs scored at the 28th minute.

With the stakes high for both teams, and Mount Pleasant looking to stay on track for the preliminary winner's cash prize, both teams continued their battle for ascendancy.

The telling moment would come in what proved to be a decisive first half, when forward Raheem Edwards scored the game-winning goal at the 43rd minute to hand Mount Pleasant a 2-1 lead.

Mount Pleasant now have 78 points, nine clear of second-place Montego Bay United. Arnett Gardens are third on 67 points, with Portmore United fourth on 60.

Meanwhile, Cavalier, which defeated Portmore United 1-0 in their rescheduled match on Wednesday, hold a clear lead at fifth place on 56 points.

The preliminary phase consists of 39 matches. With the exception of Mount Pleasant (33), Cavalier (33), Arnett Gardens (34) and Racing United (34), all the teams have played 35 games.

Two clubs in the 14-team league will be relegated and Vere Phoenix United (23 points) and Molynes United (29) are the bottom two. Eleventh-place Harbour View FC and Humble Lion at 10th are tied with 32 points apiece.

The league continues at the weekend with a full slate of matches.