Humble Lion keep Portmore behind

It was a game of attrition at Ferdie Neita Park, but in the end, hosts Portmore United and visitors Humble Lion had to share the spoils in a 1-1 draw in the Jamaica Premier League yesterday.

The point meant that Humble Lion remain in the top six and in a play-off place, but Portmore are still on the outside looking in are they are seventh in the points standing following their league-leading 12th draw of the campaign.

The hosts looked more purposeful at the first whistle, as the assignment given by coach Phillip Williams was to go on the all-out attack in the opening stanza.

That early press almost brought about a goal as early as the second minute when left-back Emelio Rousseau rocketed a shot from distance, which rattled the post with Humble Lion goalkeeper Prince Daniel Smith well beaten.

Humble Lion had to soak up the early pressure, and when they got into the running, they chalked up a couple of attacking plays by utilising veteran defender Xavian Virgo down the right flank, who whipped in a few telling crosses, but none connect to the head of striker Andre Clennon.

The visitors would, however, go in front just before the halftime whistle as Virgo's free kick from the top of the area was improperly handled by Benjamin Williams in the Portmore goal, with Afiba Chambers on hand to tuck home the rebound from close range.

The second half saw Portmore getting back into their stride, and they would eventually get the equaliser in the 60th minute when striker Chevaughn Walsh turned in a left-sided cross from Alex Marshall to send the home fans into a frenzy.

The goal was supposed to be the catalyst that sparked Portmore to go for a winner, but astute defending from veteran Ricardo Campbell kept Portmore at bay for the remainder of the contest as the Andrew Price-coached Lion gladly accepted the draw to stay in the top six with two games remaining in the preliminary round.

"When you look at the scheme of things, a point away is always good, and we came in here to a hostile environment with Portmore wanting the game badly, but they stay behind us with the draw, and that is the most important thing," said Price.

Portmore United coach Philip Williams was not satisfied with the result.

"We came here for three points and, yes, we didn't lose, but three points would have made our cause much better. We are still in range of the top six if you look at it mathematically, and we have to go out and perform in the remaining two games," Williams said.