ST JAMES, Jamaica – Former champions Montego Bay United made light work of Waterhouse FC on Wednesday, cruising to a 3-1 victory in their second round Jamaica Premier League game played at the Montego Bay Sports Complex.

Jean Claudio Ferreira, who returned to the club after a short stint at Mt Pleasant, pulled the strings from the midfield in his first start, setting up the first goal when he won a penalty and then scoring the second as Montego Bay improved to 44 points after winning their 13th game, one more than they won all of last season. The 44 points are also one more then they tallied in 26 games last year when they fell just short of the play-offs.

Meanwhile, Racing United and Dunbeholden FC scored good wins over Harbour View and Chapelton Maroons respectively as they continued to inch their way up out of the relegation zone.

Both teams took their time to warm up in the game at the Montego Bay Sports Complex, but it was the home team that grabbed the initiative late in the first half, scoring twice before the interval.

Ferreira’s fierce shot from just outside the Waterhouse area was handled by a defender and Shaniel Thomas fired home from the spot just out of reach of goalkeeper John Wilson in the 32nd minute, for his 10th goal of the season. The Brazilian was well placed in the 45th minute to head home a cross from just inside the 18 yards box as Montego Bay United grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck.

Yohan Weatherly, who had a rare start, justified the faith of his coach when he capped a good display by rifling home a left footer past Wilson in the 72nd minute to make the score 3-0. Second half substitute Mario Simms pulled a goal back for Waterhouse when he beat goalkeeper Aaron Enill in the 78th minute.

Racing United extended their best-ever run in the JPL, edging Harbour View 1-0 at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex for their third straight and moving to 25 points, one shy of seventh-placed Tivoli Gardens. Ranaldo Biggs scored the winner in the 20th minute as Harbour View, who had beaten Dunbeholden on Sunday, slumped back into 13th place.

Dunbeholden rebounded from a big loss to outscore Chapelton Maroons 3-1 in the second game of the double header at the Anthony Spaulding Complex. The win snapped a 10-game winless run for Dunbeholden and saw them move up to 11th place on 19 points, one point behind Chapelton.

Dwight Merrick’s ninth minute goal gave Dunbeholden a 1-0 lead at half time before Nickoy Christian doubled the advantage in the 57th minute. Dean Andre Thomas put the game out of reach in the 83rd minute, while Marlon Allen scored a consolation goal for Chapelton in the 88th minute.

The round ends on Thursday with four more games: leaders Mt Pleasant FA taking on Vere United, Arnett Gardens facing Humble Lion, Portmore United against Molynes United, and defending champions Cavalier FC clashing Tivoli Gardens.