MAY PEN, Jamaica (Interstat) — N. Ellis scored two first-half goals and Racing United defeated Humble Lions 2-1 at Effortville Community Centre on Sunday in the Jamaican Premier League. Racing United, the visiting team, led 2-0 before Humble Lions pulled one back just before halftime. Ellis was Racing United’s top star with two goals, and his statline included 90 minutes. The result moved Racing United’s season record in the competition to 5 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw. Humble Lions remained winless in the competition at 0 wins, 4 losses and 2 draws. Both clubs’ records across all competitions match their competition marks. The first half produced all three goals, and Racing United’s defense held the hosts scoreless after the break.

Racing United opened the scoring in the 18th minute when Ellis found the net. Ellis added his second goal in the 39th minute, giving the visitors a two-goal lead. Humble Lions answered in the third minute of first-half stoppage time when A. Barrett scored, cutting the deficit to 2-1 at the break. The home side could not find an equalizer after halftime, and Racing United closed out the win. Racing United never trailed after Ellis’ opener. The visitors took an early lead and controlled the opening half.

Ellis was the central figure for Racing United, with his two first-half goals separating the teams. His 90-minute appearance and two-goal output were listed among the key performances. Barrett’s goal gave Humble Lions a route back into the match before the interval, but the home side was unable to build on it. Racing United’s defense protected the one-goal lead through the second half. Humble Lions pushed for a second goal but could not produce one. Racing United managed the remainder of the contest without conceding again.

Racing United entered the match on a strong run. The club had beaten Tivoli 4-3, Molynes 6-0, Mount Pleasant 1-0 and Arnett Gardens 3-2, while losing to Montego Bay 1-0 and drawing 0-0 with Waterhouse. That form carried into the first half against Humble Lions, with Ellis doing the damage. Racing United’s previous results left the club with five wins, one loss and one draw across all competitions. The visiting side’s season record in the competition is now 5 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw.

Humble Lions entered after a 4-0 loss to Tru-Juice, a 0-0 draw with Chapelton, a 1-1 draw with Treasure Beach, a 4-1 loss to Portmore and a 5-0 loss to Waterhouse. The home side showed a brief response through Barrett but could not avoid another defeat. Humble Lions’ season record in the competition is now 0 wins, 4 losses and 2 draws, and its all-competitions record matches that mark. Racing United’s upcoming schedule includes matches against Treasure Beach, Chapelton, Tru-Juice, Portmore, Dunbeholden and Cavalier. The win gave Racing United its fifth victory in the competition this season.

The match was played at Effortville Community Centre, Humble Lions’ home venue. Racing United made the early pressure count and took a 2-0 lead into the latter stages of the first half. Humble Lions’ best moment came in first-half stoppage time when Barrett scored. After the break, Racing United managed the remainder of the contest without conceding again. The visiting side improved to 5 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw in the competition, and its all-competitions record stands at the same mark. Humble Lions is 0-4-2 in the competition and across all competitions.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Racing United 3, Humble Lions 1. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Humble Lions with a 54.3 percent probability to win. Racing United had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -1.5. The total score of 3 went under the over/under line of 2.5.