Portmore, Arnett young players impress coaches in Lynk Cup

by

March 23, 2023

Photo

Portmore United’s Lamar Walker (left) tries to hold off a challenge from Arnett Gardens substitute Deshawn Plunkett during yesterday’s Lynk Cup round-of-16 encounter at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex, which Portmore won 3-2.

Portmore United and Arnett Gardens scored five goals between them yesterday, with the former coming out on top to edge their way into the quarterfinals of the Lynk Cup knockout competition.

Both coaches presented game time to fringe players, with substitute Kevon McGregor scoring for Arnett and Portmore's substitute Shakeon Satchwell winning the penalty, which decided the game for Portmore United.

The contest saw Chevaughn Walsh scoring in the 10th and four minutes into second-half added time, with Alex Marshall getting his name on the scoresheet in the 77th minute.

Marlon Martin got Arnett's equalising goal in the 33rd minute before McGregor scored his goal in the 62nd minute.

Both strikes were long-range bombers, which impressed Arnett's coach Paul 'Tegat' Davis, despite coming out on the losing end.

"I thought it was a good game, and maybe we could have gotten some calls, but we made a lot of changes because the season is long, and we wanted to see some players. Some of the players did very well, and now we have more players to pick from the remainder of the (Jamaica) Premier League season," Davis said.

Portmore United's coach Philip Williams expressed similar sentiments as he introduced young Satchwell in the second half, which eventually bore fruit. It was Satchwell, with some sublime skills inside the Arnett Gardens penalty area, which won the penalty that Walsh converted to seal the win.

"We needed energy on the park, so we made some changes by bringing on some of the youngsters, which caused Arnett some problems. It was one of those youngsters that got us the penalty, which won the game, and to come to an in-form Arnett Gardens and match them stride for stride says a lot about our team," Williams said.