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Defending champion Portmore United made a winning start to their Digicel Premier League title defence blanking Rivoli United 2-0 at the Ferdie Neita Park yesterday. There were also wins for Harbour View, Sporting Central and Boys' Town on a day when FIFA celebrated Fair Play Day worldwide. Portmore turned in a work-man-like performance to get the better of Rivoli in the St Catherine derby courtesy of two goals by Carlington Smith in the 29th and 40th minutes. Smith opened the scoring after latching on to a through ball before outfoxing goalkeeper Leighton Murray and tapped home. He then doubled the lead, slotting home after Murray parried Morrissey's shot into his path. Although Rivoli came out fighting in the second period, the game was good as over and they could not prevent Portmore United from opening their account.
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In the late kick off at the Compound, former champion Harbour View thrashed Village United 4-0 sending a strong signal that they are serious in regaining their title. Harbour View with the biggest margin of victory have assume pole position and provide Brazilian coach Waldemar de Oliviera with his first victory in the league. National midfielder Jermaine Hue gave Harbour View a dream start by converting a second minute penalty after Mitchily Waul was fouled in the game's very first attack. But it took the home team another 54 minutes before they were on the score sheet again courtesy a sweetly struck rightfooter from Lovel Palmer from just inside the box in the 56th minute. The Trelawny-based Village fought gallantly but two goals in two minutes effectively killed off the game. Waul fired home after collecting a ball on top of the key in the 87th minute before Kavin Bryan rifled an unstoppable shot from an acute angle in the 89th.
Meanwhile home team Boys' Town edged Arnett Gardens 1-0 in the Collie Smith Drive derby. In a hard fought battle Peter Keyes pounced in the 92nd minute to give Boys' Town the narrowest of win after playing second fiddle to Arnett Gardens for most of the game. New signing Leon Irving missed two easy chances to give Arnett a two-goal cushion after being set up by Kevin Wilson on both occasions. First he hit the upright and from point blank range shot straight at the goalkeeper Kirk Porter. But with the game ending to a draw, substitute Shawn McCoy floated over what seemed an aimless cross but some how Craig White allowed Keyes to poked home from close range. At Brancourt in Clarendon, home team Sporting Central came from behind to beat Reno 2-1 to kick start their campaign. Nicholy Finlayson converted from the spot to give Reno a 1-0 lead in the 31st minute as the Westmoreland team headed into the break with the upper hand. But the skilful Hughan Gray netted twice in the 66th and 82nd minutes as Sporting rallied for an important win. Newly promoted Meadhaven — playing in the premier league for the first time — gave last season's runner-up Tivoli Gardens a scare at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex. Former national Under-20 striker Keammar Daley scored a brilliant goal to silence the partisan and gave Meadhaven a 24th minute lead. Daley slipped by Victor Thompson and powered home from just inside the box. But discarded national striker Roland Dean earned a share of the points for Tivoli Gardens in the 60th minute with a low drive from 18 metres out.
At Drewsland, home team Waterhouse was left heartbroken after conceding a late goal. New signing Jermaine Anderson had given them the lead in the 23rd minute as Waterhouse seemed well on their way to three points. But Barrington James had other ideas heading home in the 93rd minute for an important away point for the Portland-based St George's. The competition continues on Wednesday with a full slate of six games. Rivoli host Waterhouse; Sporting Central visiting Meadhaven at Constant Spring; Arnett Gardens and Portmore clash in the feature encounter; St George's tackle Harbour View; Village welcome Boys' Town and Tivoli Gardens play Reno. |
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