Racing inflict further agony on former JPL champions Mount Pleasant

RACING United are off to back-to-back victories in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) after clipping Mount Pleasant FA 1-0 at Ferdie Neita Park in St Catherine on Sunday, while Chapelton Maroons won their first of the season in a rain-affected start of the second week of games. Racing’s win was soured after Tajay Gayle, who scored the game’s only goal, was sent off in time added in the second half. It was the second-straight JPL loss for star-studded Mount Pleasant FA, who were beaten 0-4 last week by newcomers Tru-Juice FC.

The Theodore Whitemore-coached Mount Pleasant are off to their worst start to a Premier League season. Racing got the breakthrough when Gayle, who had scored twice in their 3-2 win over Arnett Gardens on Monday, was brought down by Fitzroy Cummings just inside the Mount Pleasant 18-yard box. He stepped up to score the resultant penalty kick in the 50th minute.

Gayle was sent off three minutes into time added when he lashed out at a Mount Pleasant player after he was pushed off the ball at the corner flag. Elsewhere, National Under-20 striker Sean Leighton scored a late penalty for Chapelton in their 2-1 win over 10-man Molynes United. Chapelton rebounded from their loss at Montego Bay United last week to beat Molynes United in their designated home game played in a steady drizzle at Drax Hall in St Ann.

Molynes United were a player short from the 24th minute when Marlon Pennicook was sent off for elbowing Chapelton’s Dante Peralto in the back of his head. Damoi Whitfield gave 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 were 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. Leighton scored the penalty in the 87th minute to give his team their first win of the season. At STETHS Sports Complex in Santa Cruz, St Elizabeth, Treasure Beach came from behind to earn a 1-1 result against visitors Tivoli Gardens FC, with both goals arriving in the first half.

Tivoli Gardens took the lead in the 12th minute when Alton Lewis scored a spectacular goal, beating goalkeeper Mowey Morgan. The effort from the left side of the 18-yard box sailed into the top, right-hand corner …