By Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer 
Portmore Strikers' Rochelle Bryan (left) is about to make a pass up field, while teammate Denise Duncan looks on during yesterday's first leg Sherwin Williams Women's League final against Barbican at Constant Spring. Portmore Strikers won 1-0. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
PORTMORE STRIKERS began their Sherwin Williams sponsored Women's League title defence in commanding fashion yesterday at Constant Spring, dominating against Barbican to win the first-leg final 1-0.
The Portmore team created a lot of goal scoring opportunities in their quest for their second consecutive league title, following on from their strong semi-final showing against Untouchables.
Iesha Mowatt scored the game's only goal in the 53rd minute of play in front of a small Constant Spring crowd.
"I am very happy with the way the girls played today (yesterday)," Keith Lattimore, the Strikers' coach, said. "We played a more attacking game in the second half and it paid off and we will be looking to continue in that style," he said.
Despite a competitive first half, neither side was able to find the back of the net. However, on several occasions forwards from both teams should have scored, but good defence kept them out.
However, upon resumption, the Strikers came out on the attack and their efforts paid quick dividends as good passing from Tashana Vincent and Denise Duncan set up Mowatt for the decisive strike.
Vincent sent a high cross from the right flank into the area; goalkeeper Pansy Lawrence came out and missed the cross, leaving a mobile Mowatt to score from close range.
Lattimore believes come next Saturday at Spanish Town Prison Oval his side is going to play a more attacking brand of football to seal the issue.
"Once we attack, come the second leg, I think it will benefit us at the end of the day. However, we will still have to make sure that we don't give up a goal," Lattimore said.
Meanwhile, Lattimore's opposite number, Charles Edwards, blamed his team's defeat on mental lapses.
"I am very disappointed, we played nothing today so will have to go back to camp and asset what went wrong," he said. "We have to let them (the players) know that it's a team game and individual thinking is not going to get us anywhere," Edwards said.
