Howard Walker, Staff Reporter

Dawes... scored a thumping volley to knock out Tivoli in Sunday night's semi-final. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

A superb volley from veteran Christopher Dawes propelled Portmore United to a 2-1 extra-time win over Tivoli Gardens and into the final of the Red Stripe Champions Cup.

With the game locked at 1-1 in extra time and with 15 minutes to go before penalty kicks, Dawes found himself at the top of the box as an attempted clearance fell into his path and he duly rifled home.

"Dawes always tries those in training and somehow today it came off. The moment was right and it was a good goal to take us to the final," said Portmore's coach Linval Dixon.

Earlier another veteran Onandi Lowe had given Portmore the lead in the 53rd minute, forcing home a rebound from close range.

A Wolry Wolfe's long range effort dipped awkwardly in front of goalkeeper Edsel Scott whose blocked effort went to Carlington Smith and he was forced into a second save, but could not deny the towering Lowe.

Portmore with Wolfe, Dawes, Lowe, Smith, Adrian Mitchell, Anthony Bennett and Anthony Modeste looked home and dry. But with five minutes remaining, referee Kevin Morrison awarded Tivoli Gardens a penalty for a hand ball infringement in the box.

After a brief consultation between the Tivoli players, Christopher Jackson was given the task and he duly rammed home the kick in the 85th minute to level the scores.

Gained ascendancy

With that goal Tivoli Gardens gained the ascendancy with Jackson, Roland Dean, Oraine Simpson, Dwight Heron, Jermaine Taylor, Denroy Gordon and Christopher Nicholas pushing for the win. But Dawes had other ideas with his thumping volley that crushed the hopes of the Tivoli faithful in the 105th minute.

Winning coach Dixon was pleased that his team got one back on Tivoli, which defeated them in the final last season. Said Dixon: "Last season we lost the final to Tivoli and we came back this year and did what we had to do. It was a good game, not one of the best, but at the end of the day we got the result."

Calvert Fitzgerald, coach of Tivoli Gardens, said his team played a good game but came out on the wrong side of the result.

Said Fitzgerald: "We wanted to defend our title but Portmore deservedly won a tight game and we just have to accept that.

Good game

"I thought we played a very good game. In the first half, Portmore were dominant, we came back in the second half and gave it our all but we came out on the wrong side of the result," added Fitzgerald.

Portmore United will face Boys' Town in the April 8 final at the Harbour View Mini Stadium.

Portmore United 2

Onandi Lowe 53rd, Chris Dawes 105th

Tivoli Gardens 1

Christopher Jackson 85th