Racing United and Dunbeholden played out an exciting 1-1 draw in their Jamaica Premier League (JPL) Portmore derby at the Ferdi Neita Park yesterday.
Odane Samuels (fourth minute) gave Dunbeholden an early lead, which they held until 15 minutes from the end, when Tajay Grant (75th) equalised from the penalty spot.
The result kept Racing second in the table with 33 points, three less than leaders Montego Bay United, who drew 0-0 with Portmore United.
Dunbeholden got off to the best possible start, as four minutes into the contest, Samuels fired Damion Gordon’s team into the lead.
Racing then went into all-out attack, but found the best defensive team in the league equal to everything they threw at them.
Dunbeholden also had a few good chances themselves to grab another goal but failed to take advantage.
Racing came out in the second half hunting for an equaliser and had their opponents on the defensive for the most part.
Haile Beckles had the first two openings but headed over from a corner, then placed a clear-cut chance over the bar with time and space from 12 yards out.
Dunbeholden used the counter to good effect and had a couple of good openings themselves, the best of which fell to Marlon Allen, who kicked straight to goalkeeper Aaron Enill at the near post.
Racing would make them pay for that miss, as they went straight up the park, and Beckles left two defenders for dead on the left before his goal-bound shot was blocked by the hand of Chevin Watkins.
Grant then calmly dispatched the resulting penalty to tie the game.
Beckles had another good opportunity minutes later, but his effort was blocked at the near post.
Allen had another good look for Dunbeholden in the 84th minute but could not make full contact with Clive Wedderburn’s cross.
Racing continued to create chances late into the game; however Javaughn Cole and Beckles failed to make the most of the chances presented.
“We made it hard,” said Racing coach Anthony Patrick. “It’s not about digging deep. We had possession right through the game. We were not clinical. That killer instinct wasn’t there, but we came out with a 1-1 draw.
“But as I said to the players, I am not pleased. Some of them are going through the motions and I am not pleased.”
His counterpart, Gordon, thought his opponents got a ‘lucky’ break with the penalty.
“Overall I think we were the better team. The second half they were hunting and they got lucky.
“I think we worked hard. We worked as a unit. We did create some openings in the first half and should be two ahead; and 1-0 is harder to defend than anything else,” he surmised.
Dunbeholden stayed ninth in the standings on 19 points, the same as Arnett Gardens but with a smaller goal difference.
In the day’s other game, Chapelton Maroons defeated Spanish Town Police 1-0.
