Controversial win for Portmore

Nodley Wright, Gleaner Writer

A contentious penalty converted by the in-form Tremaine Stewart was the difference between Portmore United and Humble Lion when both teams met at the Ferdie Neita Park on Wednesday evening.

Stewart's 72nd-minute conversion gave the St Catherine-based team the ammunition they needed to come out on top in what was effectively a derby between two Clarendon-centred teams, and gifted Portmore United the three points they needed to move two points clear at the top of the Red Stripe Premier League. Stewart stepped up to the spot after captain Ricardo Cousins turned away from his challenger inside the box and went down after appearing to be clipped. Referee Valdin Ledgister had no hesitation in awarding a penalty.

With the win Portmore United moved to 24 points, two more than Waterhouse and three clear of Tivoli Gardens, who lost their unbeaten tag after falling 0-2 to arch-rivals Arnett Gardens. Humble Lion, who were losing for the second time to Portmore United this season, dropped two places to sixth on 18 points.

The rejuvenated Arnett Gardens increased their tally to 19 points and advanced to fourth position in the tightly bunched League. Sporting Central also moved to 19 points following a 2-1 win over Village United but are fifth on goal difference. Village remained planted at the foot of the table on five points, while Reno slipped three places to ninth on 16 points following their 1-2 loss to Waterhouse.

Boys' Town slipped to seventh following their 1-1 draw with Montego Bay United, while the team from the Second City remained in 11th position on 12 points. Harbour View moved up a spot to eighth despite playing to a 1-1 draw with Highgate United, who remained in 10th position.

"The most important thing is the three points. We won the game," said Portmore United's Calvin Lewis at the end of their hard-fought victory.

"I am pleased with the way we kept our team shape. We are playing a more patient game now. I like what the players are doing. It is a good feeling to be in the lead but we just need to play harder and stay humble," added Lewis.

Humble Lion's coach Lenworth Hyde was anything but happy with the result of the game which ended with his assistant Max Straw being ejected for voicing his objection to the quality of the officiating.

"It was a hard-fought game. For both teams it was a tussle from both ends of the field and I think defensively we stood out," said Hyde.

"Just before the half-time, Portmore were much more aggressive than us. When we checked the stats they (Portmore United) had 20 fouls and we had five, and yet no yellow cards were issued to the Portmore players. These things are not good for football and we need to have a better way of dealing with games," continued a bitter Hyde, who has the distinction of coaching Portmore United, Tivoli Gardens and Harbour View to National Premier League titles.

Besides his perception of unfair treatment, Hyde was of the view that his team could have done better.

"We did not attack as we should. We had possession of the ball but we did not create enough chances, we could have created a goal. We had about two look-ins but I think the game could have ended 0-0, but such is life, we lost by a penalty," said Hyde.