Portmore grind out victory as JPL resumes

In a tense yet chance-starved clash, Portmore United secured a narrow 1-0 victory over a struggling Arnett Gardens side, with the game's only goal coming cruelly for the visitors at Ferdi Neita Park in Portmore, as the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) resumed yesterday after a lengthy delay due to the passage of Hurricane Melissa.

The match was decided in the fifth minute under bizarre circumstances. Portmore's usual liverwire Ronaldo Robinson whipped a dangerous, curling left-footed free kick into the heart of the Arnett penalty area.

In a moment of devastating misfortune, Arnett defender Joel Jones, attempting to clear, could only direct a powerful header past his own goalkeeper, Anthony Bennett.

There were no clear scoring opportunities before the break.

Portmore thought they had doubled their lead immediately after the restart. In the 46th minute, Robinson again found space at the top of the box, forcing a save from Bennett, only for substitute Tarik Ximinies to slot home the rebound. However, the celebrations were cut short by the assistant referee's flag for offside.

Arnett's best chance to salvage a point fell to Roderick Granville in the 61st minute. Breaking free of his marker, he found himself one-on-one with Portmore's keeper Daniel Russell, but his shot was struck too close to the keeper, who made a comfortable save.

The result leaves Pormore second in the standings on 21 points from 10 games, while Arnett Gardens are mired in a slump, having now lost their fifth game in eight outings and are in 12th place on nine points.

CREDITED TROOPS

Rodolph Austin, Portmore United's coach, credited his troops for holding form for the entire encounter.

"It was a hard game. We took the lead and maintained it throughout. So I think we defended well today," Austin said.

"In the attacking third, we didn't capitalise on some moments, but it's football. We play to win, and we won, so that's the most important thing," he continued.

"We have been training really intensely, but training is different from the real thing. I think we stuck together today, and we carried out the objective."

Arnett's coach, Phillip Williams, lamented what was an ok display from his young troops.

"We created many chances, but the game was not filled with many chances, as you saw. The goal was off our own player," he related.

"The team played well in terms of the work we have put in. It's unfortunate to lose the game the way we did. We're in a little rut now. The boys are putting in the work," he said. "It's just a matter of time before positive things start going our way."

OTHER MATCHES

In other matches, Harbour View and Racing United emerged winners, while Dunbeholden FC and newly crowned Concacaf Caribbean champions, Mount Pleasant Football Academy, ended 0-0 at Dunbeholden.

Harbour View FC made a rollicking return to their home ground, thumping Spanish Town Police FC 5-2. Harbour View catapulted up the table to seventh on 12 points, while Spanish Town stayed bottom on two points after suffering their eighth loss in 10 matches.

Racing United edged Molynes United FC 3-2 in a thriller, and solidified third position with 18 points, while Molynes are second from bottom on five.

Leaders Montego Bay United, with 22 points,will play in one of two matches today, tackling defending champions Cavalier (13 points) in the opening match of a doubleheader at Stadium East at 5 p.m.

In the feature contest at 7:30 p.m., Waterhouse FC will play against Tivoli Gardens FC. Both teams have 12 points.