Whitmore praises ‘clinical’ Mt Pleasant after Racing demolition
CATHERINE HALL — Head Coach Theodore Whitmore said his players “executed well” as former champions Mt Pleasant FA cruised to a 4-0 win over promoted Racing United in the first game of a double-header at Montego Bay Sports Complex on Monday, winning their second-straight game to start the Jamaica Premier League.
Mt Pleasant led 1-0 after the first half in a game that saw the restart being delayed as the floodlights were not turned on in time, a match that also saw a hold-up late in the game after the floodlights went out, plunging the venue in darkness.
Racing United, who missed a penalty that would have seen them pull level late in the first half and who in that segment were also forced to substitute starting goalkeeper Carlyle Holmes due to injuries, finished the game with 10 players after Romaine Bowers was sent off in the 49th minute following him being shown a second yellow card in the game.
“I think the team played up to standard. I think we execute this afternoon,” Whitmore said. “We were more clinical in front of goal and hence, we got the result.”
It was the second loss for Racing United, and Head Coach Anthony Patrick admitted they started the game slowly and were always chasing Mt Pleasant.
“I think we started a little bit shaky. We gave away the first goal — silly silly mistake — and then we missed a penalty right before the break, and then from there it was downhill,” said Patrick. “We will just have to regroup and come again.”
Gadail Irving gave Mt Pleasant the lead with a stunning free kick in the 23rd minute, finding the top right-hand corner of the goal which left Holmes rooted to his line.
Racing missed a chance to draw level late in the half after Nickyle Ellis’s penalty hit the right upright and rebounded into play.
Devonte Campbell doubled the lead in the 47th minute when he beat substitute goalkeeper Asheike Swearing from outside the 18-yard box.
Daniel Green made no mistake with his penalty in the 72nd minute and Shande James rounded off the scoring with goal number four in the 84th minute.
