Hot streaks end for Tru-Juice FC, Racing United in JFF Championship
HANOVER, Jamaica— Leaders Tru-Juice FC and Racing United dropped points for the first time this season in the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Championships, snapping their respective five-game winning streak to start the competition.
Tru-Juice were beaten 1-0 by Hopewell United while Racing United were held 1-1 by Portlanders FC at Lynch Park as the gap between the rest of the field closed to four points.
Browns Town FC moved into third place on 12 points after a come-from-behind 3-1 win over Petersfield FC while Chapleton Maroons and Baptist Alliance are both on 10 points.
At Orchard Sports Complex, an early own goal from Kaderie Parker in the eighth minute decided the game in favour of Hopewell United, who were beating Tru-Juice FC for the second time at home.
Rhajneil Brown gave Racing United the lead after 42 minutes but Portlanders FC salvaged a point in the 87th minute thanks to a goal from Kerone George.
Brown’s Town won their third game in their last four outings, coming from a goal down at halftime to beat Petersfield FC at Drax Hall.
O’Shawn Neil scored in the 45th minute for Petersfield FC but the home team were level in the 51st minute through an own goal from Kirk Patrick Lawrence. Owen Jumpp gave Browns Town the lead in the 64th minute before a goal deep into time added on from Deranie Hinds made it 3-1.
Dashawn Plunkett scored a double as Chapleton Maroons scored their first-ever win over Faulkland FC at any level, winning 2-0 at Turner’s Oval as they won for the third time.
Gray’s Inn SC rallied late to beat Baptist Alliance 2-1 at Heartease Community Centre with Odaine Williams scoring in the 79th and 90th minutes after an own goal from Andre Grossett in the 51st minute had given the home team the lead.
Bottom placed teams Falmouth United and Meadforest battled out a 1-1 draw at Elleston Wakeland Centre where three players were red carded close to the end of the game.
Former Reggae Boy Allan Ottey scored his first goal of the season to give Falmouth United the lead in the 55th minute when Meadforest’s goalkeeper Shavari Whittaker dropped a cross and he fired into the empty goal.
Meadforest FC, who are still to get their first win of the season, drew level in the 86th minute when Junior McGregor scored a spectacular freekick from some 25 yards out, high into the top left hand corner of the goal.
Late in the game, Falmouth United’s Ziddane Francis and Meadforest’s Jisang McIntosh were both sent off for fighting and Ottey, who by then had been substituted, was also sent off after he had entered the field without permission.
Results from Saturday
Baptist Alliance-1 Grays Inn SC-2
Reno FC 0, St Bess United-0
Falmouth United-1 Meadforest FC- 1
Chapleton Maroons-2 Faulkland FC-0
Browns Town 3, Petersfield FC-1
Portlanders FC 1, Racing United-1
Hopewell United 1, Tru-Juice FC-0
-Paul A Reid