Portmore come from behind for crucial lead

Portmore United gained an early advantage in their Concacaf Caribbean Cup semi-final after handing Haitian outfit Violette AC their first defeat of the season in a 3-1 come-from-behind victory in yesterday’s first leg at Sabina Park.

Jean-Fabrice Vedrine broke the deadlock for Violette in the 38th minute, but a brace from Javier Brown (62nd, 75th) turned the contest in Portmore’s favour.

Half-time substitute Tedj Bryan then sealed the victory deep into time added, scoring in the 90+5 minute.

After the match, Brown said the result was a major boost to Portmore’s hopes of lifting the title as they now head into the return leg with a significant advantage.

“It was great. We really needed this win so it was really satisfying to come away with it on our home ground,” he said.

“This result means a massive boost for us going into the second leg. We just need to keep focused, concentrate and just keep going.”

The hosts made the brighter start, taking early control of the contest and dictating the tempo with the bulk of possession.

Portmore had a golden opportunity to open the scoring in the opening exchanges when Tarick Ximines danced past three defenders, but his effort from just outside the box rolled wide of the target.

Violette gradually settled and came close in the 20th minute when Elyvens Dejean surged towards goal, but his inviting ball across the area failed to find a teammate.

Portmore continued to press and should have gone ahead when a defensive mistake sent Joshua Grant through on goal. However, with only the goalkeeper to beat, he failed to convert.

Instead, it was Violette who struck first in the 38th minute as Vedrine curled a superb effort into the top-right corner.

The visitors started the second half strongly, with Dejean rattling the post just a minute after the restart.

Portmore responded two minutes later when substitute Bryan pounced on a loose ball inside the box, but his effort was blocked at the last moment.

Violette thought they had doubled their lead when Clavens Exantus found the net, but the effort was ruled out for offside.

Squandered opportunity

Portmore squandered another opportunity to draw level in the 60th minute when Ronaldo Robinson miskicked after being picked out unmarked inside the area.

The equaliser eventually arrived two minutes later as Brown was on hand to tap into an empty net after goalkeeper Gooly Elien failed to gather the initial shot.

Portmore continued to push for the lead and were rewarded with a moment of quality.

Brown completed his brace in the 75th minute, meeting a cross from Clayton Peck with a first-time volley into the far corner.

Miche-Naider Chéry thought he had restored parity for Violette in the 80th minute, but his effort was also disallowed for offside.

Portmore nearly extended their lead two minutes later, but Bryan’s close-range effort crashed against the crossbar.

In the closing stages, national representative Lamar Walker embarked on a penetrating run through midfield before sending a low drive inches wide of the far post.

With Violette committing players forward in search of an equaliser, Portmore found space on the counterattack. Bryan led the break, rounded the goalkeeper and calmly slotted into an empty net to put the tie firmly in his team’s grasp.

The second leg will be played on October 20 at the Estadio Cibao in the Dominican Republic.

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com