Racing United, Tru-Juice FC go after six wins
HANOVER, Jamaica— Joint leaders Racing United and Tru-Juice FC will be going after a sixth straight win when the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Championships continue on Saturday with a full schedule of seven games.
The teams, who were losing semi-finalists last season, have run roughshod over the competition so far, winning their first five games in dominant fashion and will be lining up a sixth straight, Racing United playing away to Portlanders FC at Lynch Park and Tru-Juice FC away to Hopewell United at Orchard Sports Complex.
Third-placed Baptist Alliance will host Grays Inn at Phillips Field with fourth-placed Browns Town at home to newcomers Petersfield FC at Drax Hall.
Racing United, who lead on goal difference and has scored the most goals and conceded the least – just two – had beaten Portlanders FC 5-0 at the same venue last season and another lopsided win cannot be ruled out.
Racing United has scored five goals twice this season and faces the worst defence in the competition, Portlanders FC having allowed 12 goals already.
Javaughn Cole of Racing United leads all scorers with six strikes and should be on the hunt for more today.
Tru-Juice FC and Hopewell United have shared wins in their two meetings over the previous two seasons, Tru-Juice won 2-0 last season after losing 1-0 in the previous season but will come into this game with the odds in their favour.
Hopewell United have managed two wins so far and with some application can be competitive, especially at home but face a good Tru-Juice team that can cause them problems.
Seivon Thompson leads Tru-Juice FC with four goals scored but Colicke Richards and Dayshani Russell can also be dangerous.
Baptist Alliance has equalled their points and wins total from last year with less than half their games played and will be seeking to add to their win total when they host Gray’s Inn, who are playing at this level for the first time.
Tamar Francis has led Baptist Alliance, scoring four goals so far, while Gray’s Inn will hope Kevar Levy can help them get a result.
Browns Town have done well to win three games while scoring just four goals but have only conceded three in their five games played and will be at home to Petersfield FC, who have also only scored four goals but have conceded eight.
Reno FC has had an up-and-down season but will start favourites to win at home for the first time this season when they host St Bess United, who are a point behind them in the tables.
Reno FC have not managed a goal at Llandilo Sports Complex in two games played but will hope to change that today.
Chapleton Maroons will be hoping for their first win over Faulkland FC in a repeat of the 2022-23 final, a game that sees both teams on seven points and separated by goal difference.
Faulkland FC have endured a tough start but have picked up four of their seven points in their last two games and face a Chapleton Maroons team coming off a loss, albeit to Racing United.
Falmouth United and Meadforest FC will be desperate for a win when they meet at Elleston Wakeland Centre in a match-up of cellar dwellers.
Both have conceded 10 goals each but Meadforest FC are the only team yet to score a win this season.
Games today
Baptist Alliance vs Grays Inn SC – Phillips Field, Yallahs
Reno FC vs St Bess United – Llandilo Sports Complex
Falmouth United vs Meadforest FC – Elleston Wakeland
Chapleton Maroons vs Faulkland FC – Turners Field
Browns Town vs Petersfield FC – Drax Hall
Portlanders FC vs Racing United – Lynch Park
Hopewell United vs Tru-Juice FC – Orchard Sports Complex
-Paul A Reid
