JPL newcomers Racing eyeing improved second round

Off the back of his team’s 1-1 draw with Waterhouse to open their Wray and Nephew-sponsored Jamaica Premier League (JPL) second round fixtures, Racing United head coach Anthony Patrick is confident they can improve their performances in the league’s return fixtures.

A third of the way through their inaugural JPL campaign, Racing have tallied 14 points from their 14 games played this season.

The St Catherine-based club sits just four points above the relegation zone, a gap they hope to widen in the weeks to come.

Patrick said while he believes his team has done well for their first season in the nation’s top flight, he said they should have been higher up the table than they are now.

He is aiming to improve their standings as they begin the second round of the JPL’s regular season.

“I think we have done pretty well but I also think we’ve fallen short about seven or eight points in the first round but definitely we’re looking to make amends this time around in the second round,” the veteran coach explained.

Racing have tallied three wins so far this season having defeated defending champions Cavalier, fellow promoted team Chapelton Maroons and Dunbeholden.

Patrick believes one of the reasons for their less-than-expected points tally has been their lack of composure in front of goal.

“From the start of the season, we’ve kept possession of the football and kept playing but the finishing product has not been there as yet but hopefully they’ll get it right.”

Their recent draw against Waterhouse is seen as an improvement by Patrick as their last meeting ended in a 1-0 defeat for the newcomers.

Waterhouse had taken the lead through Atapharoy Bygrave in the 46th minute before substitute Andrew Campbell rescued a point in the 77th minute.

The draw was especially important for Racing as they had finished the game with 10-men as goalkeeper Carlye Holmes picked up a red card in the 48th minute.

“The most important was that we controlled the middle of the park, that is where we got the upper hand. I think we fought back hard and we got the goal in the end,” he explained. “The referees made their decision and we had to just work with it.”

Racing will next face Dunbeholden in an away fixture set for December 29 at the Dunbeholden Sports Complex. They had edged Dunbeholden 1-0 in their last meeting earlier this season.

gregory. bryce@gleanerjm.com