Mt Pleasant suffer back-to-back JPL defeats to start season

ST CATHERINE, Jamaica – Former champions Mt Pleasant FA have lost back-to-back games to start a Jamaica Premier League season for the first time after being edged 1-0 by 10-man Racing United at Ferdie Neita Park on Sunday. After being battered 4-0 by new boys Tru-Juice FC in the opening match day, Mt Pleasant, who recently qualified for the semi-finals of the Concacaf Caribbean Cup, were again held without a goal. It was a bittersweet win for Racing United as Tajay Gayle, who scored the game’s only goal, was sent off late in the second half and will miss next Sunday’s game against Montego Bay United. Gayle, who scored a brace for Racing in their win over Arnett Gardens last match day, converted from the penalty spot Sunday in the 50th minute after he was fouled by Fitzroy Cummings. He was however sent off three minutes into time added when he lashed out at a Mt Pleasant player after he was pushed off the ball at the corner flag. Meanwhile, Chapelton Maroons rebounded from their opening loss to Montego Bay by beating 10-man Molynes United 2-1 at their new home field at Drax Hall. Molynes United played with 10 men from the 24th minute when Marlon Pennicook was sent off for elbowing Chapelton’s Dante Peralto in the back of his head. Damoi Whitfield had given Chapelton the lead in the 38th minute when he headed home from a corner. Molynes equalised in the 57th minute when Tyrique Wilson scored from the penalty spot after Oquassa Chong was fouled in the box but Chapelton was also awarded a penalty after Molynes’ goalkeeper Glenroy Samuel was alleged to have fouled Brian Brown as he chased a long pass from his goalkeeper Roje Williams. National under-20 striker Leighton stepped up and scored the penalty in the 87th minute to give his team their first win. Treasure Beach came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw against Tivoli Gardens with both goals coming in the first half at the St Elizabeth Technical Sports Complex in Santa Cruz. Tivoli took the lead in the 12th minute when Alton Lewis scored a spectacular goal, beating goalkeeper Mowey Morgan high to his left with a shot from the left side of the 18-yard box into the top right hand corner of the goal. Sloppy defending led to Treasure Beach’s equaliser in the 37th minute as Tivoli failed to get the ball away three times and, on the final try, Jhanni Flemmings lashed the ball from the right side through a crowd of players and into the far corner. -Paul A Reid