Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter
Portmore United goalscorer Wolry Wolfe (second right) shields the ball from Tivoli's Craig Stewart (right) while teammates Kasai Hinds (left) and Jermaine Taylor react in action from the Wray and Nephew National Premier League at the Edward Seaga Stadium yesterday. Portmore United won the game 1-0. - IAN ALLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
PORTMORE UNITED battled their way to a 1-0 victory over Tivoli Gardens at the Edward Seaga Stadium yesterday to leapfrog two spots into third place with just four games left to go in the Wray and Nephew National Premier League final round.
In a first half which saw limited chances created by both teams, mostly due to robust challenges in the midfield and final third, it wasn't a surprise that the all-important goal came from a set piece.
A Roen Nelson corner whipped in saw Garth Bootha rise to flick a header to the far post where a loosely marked Wolry Wolfe made no mistake in heading the ball firmly past Tivoli custodian Edsel Scott and into the back of the net in the 24th minute.
However, Portmore could have moved even further ahead 10 minutes later when Onandi Lowe was tugged to the ground by Christopher Jackson in the penalty area. However, Scott came up big when he reacted quickly, diving full stretch to keep out the resulting Anthony Modeste penalty attempt and keep his team in the game.
"We were a bit careless in the first half, but we really came out fighting in the second half and with a bit of luck we could have come out with even a victory here today," said a disappointed Tivoli coach Glendon 'Admiral' Bailey.
"We got a couple of bad calls but it makes no sense to complain about the officiating, we fought and I have to commend the team for that," he added.
Tivoli's best chance of the opportunity would fall to Steve Green in the 65th after a promising 15-minute spell of football.
Green looked to capitalise on a poorly-punched clearance by Portmore custodian Shawn Sawyers. However, the 'keeper scrambled back across to muff Green's shot and keep a clean sheet.
The victory was a satisfying one for Portmore coach Paul Young.
"We did an excellent job of shutting them down the first half. They came back in the second half, but we held out and it is nice to come away with all three points," he said. "I must commend the guys and our objective from here will be to win every game that we play for the rest of the season."
On 45 points in third place Portmore still have two games in hand. For Tivoli the loss dropped them to fourth on goal difference behind Portmore.
GOALSHEET
TIVOLI GARDENS 0
PORTMORE UNITED 1
Wolry Wolfe 24th
