Racing-Portmore, Mt Pleasant-Waterhouse highlight full slate

The Jamaica Premier League (JPL) continues today with a rare full slate of matches. Topping the list of games are the Portmore derby between Racing United and Portmore United at Ferdi Neita Park and Mount Pleasant against Waterhouse at Drax Hall. Both at 3 p.m.

In other games, Dunbeholden play Harbour View at Dunbeholden Sports Complex, Treasure Beach take on Arnett Gardens at STETHS, Montego Bay United entertain Chapelton at Jarrett Park, Molynes United host Spanish Town Police at the Waterhouse Stadium. All starting at 3 p.m.

In the lone game at 4 p.m., Cavalier play Tivoli at Stadium East.

At Ferdi Neita, it will be second-place Racing (34 points) against third-place Portmore (32 points). The teams are separated by just two points. Both have been struggling for wins lately.

Racing have registered six draws from their last seven matches, while Portmore have five in their last six.

Racing coach Anthony Patrick has been lamenting the need for a prolific frontman, noting that there is too much pressure on midfielders Nickyle Ellis, Tajay Grant, and Giovanni Cunningham, to get goals week in, week out.

“This was our 10th draw (of season),” he said. “We hope to start getting some maximum points going forward.

“The thing that has been plaguing us, is that number-nine position or two players up front who can get goals for us in a strike partnership.

“We are relying heavily on our midfielders. All the goals that we have got so far have come from them. It’s all our midfielders getting goals.”

Portmore, led the league earlier this season but have slipped to third where they have stayed most of the campaign, however, they have missed a number of chances to go back into second.

Today presents another opportunity for them to overtake their rivals in the table, however, Portmore coach Rodolph Austin knows getting the three points for that to happen will not be easy.

At Drax Hall, fourth place Mount Pleasant (27 points) face perennial rivals Waterhouse (21 points), who have been playing some high-quality football under Argentine manager Javier Ainstein.

However, the Drewsland team have been lacking quality in front of goal and if that problem persists today, they could be on the end of a beating, with the quality their opponents possess in the final third.

Mount Pleasant coach Theodore Whitmore expects Waterhouse to bring their best game.

“We have to look at the (last) game and prepare for the game on Sunday. Everytime we touch the pitch, once we are Mount Pleasant, and now we are being referred as the Concacaf Caribbean champions, we know what to expect.

“Everybody comes with their A game (against Mount Pleasant) but we are prepared,” he stated.

Meanwhile, defending champions Cavalier got some of their mojo back after a 5-0 win over the best defensive team in the league – Dunbeholden.

They play the unpredictable Tivoli at home and assistant coach David Laylor, admits confidence is returning and only see them getting stronger as the season progresses.

“We have some youngsters out there who are not in this team that will definitely be a part of this squad. They are on national duties. U20, U17s. So we are waiting on these youngsters to come on board so we can really solidify the team. This win will encourage the younger players and we hope for a good performance in the next game,” he commented.

At Jarrett Park, the league leaders MoBay host an improving Chapelton who suffered a blow in their defeat to Waterhouse last match.

However, after a slow restart post Hurricane Melissa, MoBay are looking back to their old selves.

“It [Hurricane Melissa] did unsettle us. Before the competition returned I said it would take up to four games to find back our rhythm.

“We hoped it would not have hurt us or dropped as many points as we did but we were playing good football and were unfortunate not to get any points out of those games but we have continued to work and we are seeing the benefits of that,” he said.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com

TODAY’S GAMES

Racing vs Portmore United at Ferdi Neita Park - 3 p.m.

Dunbeholden vs Harbour View at Dunbeholden Sports Complex - 3 p.m.

Treasure Beach vs Arnett Gardens at STETHS - 3 p.m.

MoBay vs Chapelton at Jarrett Park - 3 p.m.

Mount Pleasant vs Waterhouse at Drax Hall - 3 p.m.

Molynes vs Spanish Town Police at Drewsland - 3 p.m.

Cavalier vs Tivoli at Stadium East - 4 p.m.