They followed instructions - Maxwell

Coach praises team after surprise Portmore win

Gareth Davis Sr, Gleaner Writer

Buff Bay, Portland

Midfielder Girvon Brown took full advantage of a fortuitous opportunity in the 30th minute to secure a vital win for St Georges over Portmore United, at Lynch Park on Sunday, as action continued in the Digicel Premier League DPL.

The win left a bright smile on the face of head coach Geoffrey Maxwell, after seeing his team hold off the challenge of the DPL big boys in one of several games that were played under lights across the league.

Stout defending and a counter-attacking tactic were what secured the win for the Portlanders, while Portmore, despite posing continuous threat upfront, failed to produce the clinical touch in front of the goal.

Played well

"They played well and followed instructions," said Maxwell. "I have been saying for sometime now that this is a quality team with players full of potential. Once they get their concentration right, they can beat just about any team. We lost some players, who have gone on trial overseas, but others have stepped up to the plate. I am focusing on this round to get us back into contention."

The telling moment came from a Dwayne Holmes corner, which was poorly handled by Portmore United goalkeeper Duwayne Kerr. Brown, who was lurking on the six yard box, was first to react and fired a right foot shot into the roof of the net to grab the spoils for his team.

Brown came close to scoring a second when his thunderous right foot shot from about 35 yards was this time brilliantly saved by the national goalkeeper who went full stretch to his left to keep his team in the contest three minutes later.

Both teams made substitutions at the start of the second half, with St Georges bringing on Horace James for Kenief Lee, and Portmore replacing Ricardo Morris with Ewan Grandison.

St George's should have doubled their lead in the 64th minute when Romeo Parkes skillfuly beat two defenders and picked out stand-in captain Damion Harwood inside the 18-yard box, however, the striker with only the advancing goalkeeper to beat, failed to get off a shot.

With the clock ticking away, Portmore United threw everything into attack, but their efforts was thwarted by good defending from Craig 'war lord' White, Ronike Anderson, and Holmes, who was ejected in the 93rd minute after picking up a second yellow card.

"It is really disappointing for us," said Portmore's Coach Linval Dixon. "The playing surface also affected my team, with mud in patches along the ground, but not taking anything from St Georges, they played well. We had scoring opportunities, but failed to score. And this loss has set us back somewhat."