Mt Pleasant FA hold off Racing for eighth straight win
KINGSTON, Jamaica— Leaders Mt Pleasant FA held off a late charging Racing United to win their second leg Jamaica Premier League game 3-2 at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex on Monday.
Mt Pleasant FA raced to a 3-0 lead despite playing with 10 men after Shaquille Dyer was sent off early in the second half, but held on to record their eighth straight win and improved to 40 points.
Mt Pleasant got off to a good start with the inform Shaqueil Bradford in the eighth minute and Raheem Edwards in the 40th minute, taking them to a 2-0 lead.
They later increased their lead when substitute Nicholas Nelson redirected a shot from Bradford across the goal line in the 67th minute.
Racing United roared back into contention when Tajay Grant looped the ball over the head of goalkeeper Shaquan Davis who had advanced off his line, pulling a goal back in the 72nd minute.
Stevaughn Spence who was making his Premier League debut, off the bench, cut the deficit to one goal when he headed a corner past Davis in the 90th minute.
Davis saved what looked to be a sure goal in time added on when he parried a cannon of a shot from well outside the area from Romaine Bowers as they held on to win.
Arnett Gardens took over second place in the tables after edging Montego Bay United 1-0 in the second game of the double header, avenging their first round loss.
Joel Jones’ first half goal was enough for Arnett Gardens to overtake Montego Bay United for second place, separating the teams that went into the game tied on 34 points.
Montego Bay United had a chance to draw level late in the second half but Owayne Gordon’s penalty was saved by goalkeeper Roje Williams.
-Paul A Reid