Montego Bay United beat Treasure Beach FC to reclaim JPL lead
Montego Bay United reclaimed the lead in the Jamaica Premier League on Sunday, holding off Treasure Beach FC 2-1 in their second round game played at the St Elizabeth Technical Sports Complex in Santa Cruz.
Montego Bay, who were beating the promoted team for the second time this season and sixth straight time overall, improved to 29 points, one more than previous leaders Racing United who were held to a 0-0 draw by Waterhouse FC at a muddy Ferdie Neita Park.
Also on Sunday, Molynes United held Mount Pleasant FA to a 0-0 draw, the second time this season they were sharing the points. Chapelton Maroons beat Harbour View FC 2-1 for back-to-back wins and leapt into sixth place on 18 points. Dunbeholden FC’s game against Spanish Town Police FC was postponed due to a waterlogged field at the Dunbeholden Sports Complex.
At the STETHS Sports Complex, Montego Bay scored twice in the first 22 minutes after being held scoreless in their previous two games, ending a period of 195 minutes between their 81st minute goal against Arnett Gardens on December 15 and Dwight Merrick’s first goal of the season in the seventh minute on Sunday.
Merrick was quickest to react to a weak effort from Treasure Beach FC’s goalkeeper Mowey Morgan to punch away a cross from the left side, side-footing it into the goal from about six yards out. Deonjay Brown doubled the lead in the 22nd minute when he beat Morgan from close range after the Treasure Beach defence failed to get the ball away. Tommy Lawrence pulled a goal back for Treasure Beach when he scored in the 38th, but despite getting very good scoring opportunities the home team failed to make any more inroads.
At Turner Field in Clarendon, Chapelton overcame a penalty miss in the first half to beat Harbour View a second time this season. Zhaine Pinnock gave Chapelton the lead after just three minutes and, after missing a penalty midway the first half, they gave up an equaliser in the 65th minute with Rohan Brown pulling Harbour View level at 1-1. However, Sean Leighton’s 85th minute goal made the difference, giving Chapelton only their second back-to-back win this season.
Sunday’s results
Racing United 0, Waterhouse FC-0
Treasure Beach-1 Montego Bay United-2
Dunbeholden FC vs Spanish Town Police- Postponed
Chapelton Maroons-2 Harbour View-1
Molynes United 0, Mount Pleasant FA 0
