Racing soar, Harbour View stumble

Racing United returned to winning ways in the Wray and Nephew-sponsored Jamaica Premier League (JPL) with a 3-0 win over Harbour View yesterday at the Harbour View Stadium.

Giovanni Cunningham opened the scoring for Racing with a wonder strike in the 28th minute, before Tajay Grant doubled the lead for the visitors in the 53rd.

Dean Thomas confirmed the win with the game’s third in the 80th, handing his team all three points.

It was an important win for Racing as they look to keep pace with the league leaders and now move to second in the standings on 48 points.

They were bouncing back from a 1-0 defeat against defending champions Cavalier in their last outing.

Proud of players

Anthony Patrick, head coach of Racing, said he was proud of his players for the win, but he was not surprised by their quality.

“It was a very good performance from the youngsters,” he said. “We gave the youngsters more opportunities today and to see this kind of performance, I must say kudos to them.

“This is what I wanted from the youngsters, but I’m not surprised. Coaching them at St Catherine High and having them now at Racing, it was really easy for me to put them in today’s game. I’m just happy to see them playing in their roles as juveniles.”

Racing started the stronger of the two teams and crafted the better opportunities in the opening exchanges.

They were rewarded for their early pressure when Cunningham opened the scoring with a strike from distance.

An intercepted pass in the midfield allowed Racing to counter-attack and Cunningham, in acres of space, let loose a ferocious shot that had goalkeeper Garwin Dennis rooted to the spot.

Harbour View had their chances as well and the best opportunity fell to the feet of George Headley, who could not keep his effort under the bar.

Harbour View were missing their main creative outlet and goal threat, Trayvone Reid, who was out on a red card suspension.

Without his presence, Racing ran rampant in the midfield battle and Grant was on hand to double the lead for Racing in the second half.

The Jamaican international capped off a brilliant cross into the box with a composed one-time volley to the far post, out of reach of a diving Dennis.

10-man teams

Both teams were reduced to 10 men when Mikyle Williams of Racing and Rohan Brown of Harbour View were shown red cards for violent conduct.

Racing continued to press throughout the contest and got their third goal as Nickyle Ellis crafted an opportunity for Nathel Ellis.

The defender opted not to shoot however, and instead played in an onrushing Thomas, who applied the final touch to put the ball over the line, despite a last-ditch attempt by Harbour View to clear their lines.

Harbour View picked up another red card, finishing the game with nine men, when Demar Rose was handed his marching orders in the final 10 minutes of the game.

The result means Harbour View have now gone five games without a win. They’ve also lost six games in their last 10.

The Stars of the East are enduring another poor season in the JPL and sit 13th in the league standings with 21 points, just inside the relegation zone.

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com