Racing snap eight-game winless streak
Published:Friday | January 24, 2025 | 12:07 AMOrane Buchanan/Staff Reporter
Racing United snapped an eight-game winless streak by registering a 2-0 victory over Tivoli Gardens at Ferdi Neita Park yesterday.
Tajay Grant and Nickyle Ellis were the scorers for the Anthony Patrick-coached team. It was Racing’s first victory since they clipped defending Champions Cavalier 1-0 on November 20 last year.
The win lifted the Gregory Park-based club to eighth in the standings on 19 points. Tivoli are seventh with 26.
Tivoli Gardens, who entered the fixture riding high on a five-game unbeaten run, failed to create any meaningful chances throughout the encounter much to the dismay of their head coach, Jerome Waite.
“Racing United looked the better team from start to finish. Tivoli Gardens didn’t look themselves, and I really have to revamp this team going forward,” Waite said.
Racing opened their account via a penalty kick as Grant calmly found the back of the net in the 26th minute. That go-ahead goal gave the promoted team added motivation as they continued to press, and they doubled the score in the 29th minute when Ellis broke free of his marker and slid his shot beyond the outstretched arms of Tivoli Gardens’ custodian Diego Haughton. Racing went down to 10 men in the 44th minute as goalkeeper Carlye Holmes was shown a straight red card for reckless play.
In the second half, Racing managed to keep their opponents at bay, nullifying any meaningful attacks by their opponents.
Coach Waite added that the defeat has dampened the team’s surge in the standings.
“Losing the game today means that the teams in front of us are ahead by at least seven points. It will only get tougher,” he said.
Racing’s Patrick is aware that the season will be tough, but he is keen on maintaining a positive outlook.
“It’s going to be hard, but we will continue to work as the players are willing to work. They’re focused at the moment. From the start of the season, this is the first time that we’ve used the same 11 in back-to-back games, and I’m keen on keeping the momentum,” he stated.
In another early game yesterday, leaders Mount Pleasant blanked Cavalier 3-0 with the goals coming from Jahshaun Anglin (11th), Daniel Green (26th), and Franco Celestine (76th). Mount Pleasant moved to 46 points while Cavalier are in sixth spot on 32.