MBU and Treasure Beach score wins in second round of JPL
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Leaders Montego Bay United (MBU) and Treasure Beach were the only winners in Sunday’s set of second-round games in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL), both battling at opposite ends of the points tables.
MBU increased their lead with a 1-0 win over Dunbeholden Football Club (FC) to win their first game at Jarrett Park, while Treasure Beach climbed out of the relegation zone with a 2-1 win over Molynes United in the first game of a double header at Drewsland.
Second-place Racing United came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw against Mt Pleasant Football Association (FA), while Portmore United were held 0-0 by Chapelton Maroons, the same scoreline between defending champions Cavalier Soccer Club (SC) and Waterhouse FC.
At Jarrett Park, a second-half penalty conversion by the veteran Owayne Gordon, one of the few players still in the league who would have played Premier League football at the venue, was the difference as MBU improved to 32 points after picking up back-to-back wins.
The loss ended Dunbeholden FC’s eight-game unbeaten run.
Treasure Beach ended a four-game losing skid with a well-needed win that saw them swap places with Harbour View, as they improved to 15 points.
Daniel Hardy gave Treasure Beach the lead after just six minutes but Tyrique Wilson levelled for Molynes in the 17th minute.
Karim Bryan then scored the winner in the second minute of time added on at the end of the first half as Molynes United ended a run of five games without a win.
Racing United are second on 29 points after they rallied against for their fourth straight draw and eighth straight game without a loss and foiled Mt Pleasant FA’s revenge plot.
Jeudy Johnson gave Mt Pleasant FA the lead in the 55th minute but Tajay Grant got the equaliser in the 69th minute and took his goals tally to eight.
Portmore United drew for the third straight game and are winless in their last five after winning four in a row but are still in third place on 27 points, while Chapelton, who ended a two-game winning run, are in seventh place on 19 points.
Despite playing the final 14 minutes a man short after Shamari Dyer was shown the red card, Waterhouse held Cavalier SC to a 0-0 draw.
— Paul A Reid
