Three points were more important than final - Portmore's Bender

Richard Bryan, Freelance Writer

Already qualified for the bonus money mid-season final, Portmore United won 2-1 over Reno at St. Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) in Santa Cruz yesterday to secure three more points and put daylight between their closest challengers in the Cash Plus Premier League.

The three points were the important concern for them rather than practice for the mid-season final, according to assistant coach Christopher Bender.

"Actually, we played our strongest team today. We had a few players on cards and we told them they had to play," Bender said. "The three points were more important for us than what we'll gain in the mid-season final."

For Reno, the loss dented the clean slate developed at their happy hunting ground, found at the start of last season. It was a disappointing end to a recent turn in their fortunes in which they collected 10 points in the last four games.

Portmore jumped to 24 points but they had to work extremely hard to stave off a Reno team which had opened the scoring in the 62nd minute. The Westmoreland team, still on 13 points, got their goal through an unusual corner in which the floated ball was gently volleyed by Obrien Woodbine and, in brilliant relay fashion, Recardo Scott, with his back turned to the goal, flicked it in expertly.

Portmore replied instantly and similarly, as their attack at the kick-off produced a corner in which Wolry Wolfe got a header to dip from the crossbar and even with a little help from Mario Swaby, was confirmed as the goalscorer.

The winning goal in the 81st minute was a beauty and came from one of their young guns, midfielder Ricardo Cousins, a member of the recent silver medal Pan American Games team. He quickly latched unto a ball midway the Reno half, showed strength and skill to zip a maze around a few Reno players, found the angle right on the six-yard box, before unleashing a lazer-like grounder that left everyone in its wake.

Reno 1

Recardo Scott 62nd

Portmore
2

Wolry Wolfe 63rd

Ricardo Cousins 81st