Racing keep play-off race wide open with Chapelton win
Published:Tuesday | April 8, 2025 | 12:10 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
RACING UNITED climbed back into seventh place in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) after a 3-0 win over Chapelton Maroons at the Anthony Spaulding Complex yesterday.
Tajay Grant (46th and 80th) led the way for the St Catherine team, after Javaughn Cole gave them the lead in the 30th minute.
As the tit-for-tat sixth-place battle continues in earnest with four rounds of matches to go, Tivoli, who came into the weekend in sixth, momentarily slipped to eighth on 47 points, one behind Racing and two adrift of Waterhouse, who now hold the coveted final play-off spot.
Racing coach Anthony Patrick felt proud of his two goalscorers and said getting the points was very important.
“I am feeling very happy and proud. A big job by Tajay Grant and Javaughn Cole. I spend the whole week counselling them and told them they had to come up trumps now.
“I asked them to turn up and deliver for the team, and they delivered today,” he said.
“Every time we take the pitch, points are important. And we are asking for maximum points. It was very important. I tell them there is no pressure. Any pressure is they themselves have to give themselves pressure. [I want them to] just go out and express themselves, and they’ve done that,” he said.
Racing were better out of the blocks and applied all the early pressure. But the Chapelton defence, led by Gawain Austin and Osani Ricketts, with Andrew Vanzie as their cover in central midfield, held out for half an hour.
Cole broke the deadlock after he was set free from a throughball behind the Chapelton defence to slot under the advancing Garfield Tomlinson for the opener.
The St Catherine team grew in confidence and continued to create pressure but could not add to their lead before the break.
However, two minutes into the second half, Grant found acres of space in the box after receiving a ball over the top. The attacker nudged the ball around Tomlinson, who left his line to avert the danger, to make it 2-0.
Six minutes later, Damaine Smith had a great chance for a third, but Tomlinson was equal to his strike inside his near post.
Vanzie and Levaughn Williams had efforts on goal for Chapelton, who improved as the half went on.
However, they never really threatened the Racing goal.
Racing put the game beyond reach, thanks to a firm header from Grant in the 82nd minute.
Chapelton coaching staff could not be reached for comments.
They are ninth in the table and four points clear of the relegation zone with 33 points.