ALTHOUGH pleased with Racing United keeping pace with the top two teams in the Wray & Nephew Jamaica Premier League (JPL), Head Coach Anthony Patrick says improvements are needed.

In the league’s return on Sunday, following a six-week break due to the impact of Hurricane Melissa in late October, Racing United came from behind twice to beat Molynes United 3-2 at Stadium East.

Molynes forward Marlon Pennicooke’s 22nd- and 35th-minute strikes were cancelled out by goals from Racing’s Tajay Grant in the 33rd minute and Chavany Willis in the 37th minute.

Racing United striker Tajay Grant celebrates scoring the winning goal against Molynes United in the Wray & Nephew Jamaica Premier League match at Stadium East on Sunday. Racing won 3-2. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)

Grant wasted little time in finding the winner as he scored inside the opening two minutes of the second half to ensure the St Catherine-based club moved to 18 points, three behind second-place Portmore United and four behind leaders Montego Bay United.

Patrick, though, wasn’t overly convinced by his team’s efforts during the 90 minutes.

“I think we started a little bit slow. Molynes got the ascendancy and went up early in the game, but I think when we kept our composure and showed that we are way ahead of Molynes United we started to possess the ball a little bit more and hence, we got back in it,” he said.

“But, I think in the last part of the game we start[ed] to go too direct and give up a lot of the possession. But I think it is a work in progress; we just have to continue to get it right.”

While acknowledging the team went over a month without competitive football, Patrick is hopeful that players will get better.

“None of our players was affected in the storm but we always keep in dialogue with them and get them to train right. We’re just a little bit rusty today. It started off very, very flat [but], hopefully, we can get it right on Wednesday.”

While Racing United have only lost once in their nine games, Molynes United’s disappointing run continues as they remain winless with five points from nine games.

SUNDAY’S RESULTS

Racing 3, Molynes 2

Dunbeholden 0, Mount Pleasant 0

Portmore 1, Arnett Gardens 0

Harbour View 5, Spanish Town 2

PATRICK… when we kept our composure and showed that we are way ahead of Molynes United we started to possess the ball a little bit more (Photo: Observer file)