Portmore well and truly out of the rut
Published:Thursday | January 23, 2025 | 12:14 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
PORTMORE UNITED appear to have turn the corner in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) after beating Chapelton Maroons 3-0 at the Anthony Spaulding Complex yesterday on a brace from striker Jeremy Lynch.
The St Catherine club went on a seven-game winless run before they broke that spell a couple weeks ago.
However, they have now taken maximum nine points from their last three games, and assistant coach Ricardo Smith feels it is good to be winning matches again.
“It is very good that we got the win. We squandered a lot of chances. We could have done better in that department. But we have to be thankful because three weeks ago, we weren’t winning any at all,” said Smith.
He pointed out also that the experience of double goalscorer Lynch and Cardel Benbow is also an added boost for the team.
“It is good to have that experience back with him (Lynch) and Benbow. They are both past players of the club and returning. So getting that experience to blend with the young players can only spell good,” he added.
Portmore pushed their opponents back from the opening whistle, and Ronaldo Robinson missed a golden opportunity to put them ahead, but he put the ball over from 12 yards with goalkeeper Jovell Plunkett out of position and the goal at his mercy.
Rodolph Austin’s team continued to create good openings in the final third but were indecisive at crucial moments.
Chapelton had a couple breaks after the half-hour mark, but Levaughn Williams’ shot was too tame to trouble Benjamin Williams in goal.
Moments later, the Portmore shotstopper made a double save from Tremain Graham and Jamari Howell to keep the scores level.
Intercepted pass
Portmore broke the deadlock when Plunkett played a poor pass that was intercepted just outside the area, and Romario Guthrie picked up the pass on top of the box before guiding the ball into the top corner past Plunkett.
Tarick Ximinese came close to a second, but Plunkett was equal to his powerful strike inside his near post.
Howell threatened to equalise before the break, but his vicious goalbound shot was deflected out for a corner in the 43rd minute.
Portmore continued to dominate their opponents and created chances to increase their lead, but it was not until veteran marksman Lynch entered the fray, firing past Plunkett for the second goal in the 79th minute.
The former Harbour View frontman then got between a defender and Plunkett to head home a pass from Benbow to seal the win in the 84th minute.
Chapelton coach Jermaine Douglas said they just never got out of the starting gate.
“We started poorly but weathered the storm and then just as we got a foothold in the game, we gave away a poor goal, and after that we were always chasing,” he said.
“We made some substitutions and tried to get back in the game, but it just never worked out for us.”
Portmore stay fifth, level on 33 points, the same as sixth-place Waterhouse who beat Harbour View 1-0 on Andre Fletcher’s 12th-minute penalty.
The other game between Dunbeholden and Vere ended 1-1.
The League continues today with four matches.
Mount Pleasant hosts Cavalier at Drax Hall and Racing play Tivoli at Ferdi Neita Park. Both at 3 p.m.
Later today, Arnett entertain Molynes at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex and Montego Bay United play Humble Lion at Catherine Hall. Both games begin at 6:30 p.m.