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Patrick: Racing under no pressure
April 08, 2025
Racing United FC's coach Anthony Patrick said it is important that they continue to win and put pressure on the other challengers for a top six playoff spot. Patrick also noted that his players are under no pressure for a playoff berth.
Racing defeated Chapelton Maroons 3-0 and are now eighth on 48 points, the same as Tivoli Gardens, who inched up to seventh place following a 0-0 draw with Arnett Gardens in last night's feature game of the doubleheader at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex.
Arnett Gardens, in the meantime, stayed third, on 67 points, two less than second place MoBay United and eight points behind leaders Mount Pleasant Football Academy.
Waterhouse hold the coveted sixth spot, on 49 points.
Racing have two games in hand on Waterhouse and Tivoli Gardens and can seal their playoff berth with maximum points from all their remaining matches, but Patrick says he wants his players to go out and express themselves.
"Every time we take the pitch points are important. And we are asking for maximum points. We have to think about the five games in front of us, and not about the two rescheduled games.
"There are five games in front of us and if we can win the five games, that is 15 points and that would put us right there (in playoffs).
"It (three points) was very important. But I tell them there is no pressure. Any pressure is they themselves have to give themselves pressure, just go out and express themselves," he said.
Racing were on a run of 12 games unbeaten when they lost to Tivoli Gardens a few games ago. But after gaining seven points from their last three matches, Patrick believes they are back on track.
"Since the Tivoli loss, I have spoken with them a whole lot, even though I was away for that game, and we have regrouped and come back again, and now it's two (wins) from three. We won two and drew one, so definitely we are on the right track again," he stated.
Racing started the better team and applied all the early pressure. But the Chapelton team held firm for half an hour, until Javaughn Cole broke the deadlock, slotting under goalkeeper Garfield Tomlinson for the opening goal.
Two minutes into the second half, Tajay Grant beat Tomlinson with a deft touch to make it 2-0. Then Grant sealed the win with a header in the 82nd minute, to make it 3-0.
Patrick also had big praises for his goalscorers Grant and Cole.
"A big job by Tajay Grant and Javaughn Cole. I spent the whole week counselling them and told them they had to come up trumps now," he said.
"I asked them to turn up and deliver for the team and they delivered today."
Chapelton are ninth in the table, and four points clear of the relegation zone, with 33 points.
