By Paul-Andre Walker, Staff ReporterVILLAGE UNITED yesterday booked the final Wray and Nephew National Premier League semi-final spot in a gutsy 0-0 draw against 10-man Portmore United team at Ferdie Neita Park.
Village's draw put them in fourth place and up against Tivoli Gardens for a berth in the final. Portmore United were outplayed throughout the entire first half by a Village team that looked prepared to take all three points and leave nothing to chance.
Portmore, however, defended stoutly throughout and restricted the visitors to a scoreless first-half.
What had begun as an intense game petered out somewhat because Portmore went down to 10 men early in the second-half.
Omar Daley, on his return to the Premier League after being released by English First Division team Reading last week, was sent off for a second bookable offence. Daley's red card means the ace midfielder will miss Portmore's first semi-final game.
Hyde took his hat off to Village for their determination and thought they deserved the point they got.
"Village deserve this, they came here and they attacked us well," he said.
Apart from the play of Village, Hyde was also of the opinion that there were other factors that led to the 0-0 result.
"The loss of Omar set us back and it took some changes before we started playing some better football," he said.
Loyd Williams was elated with the result.
Pointing out that Village's fourth place finish means they'll play Tivoli, Williams said he was happy for that.
"I'm glad it is Tivoli we are playing because it gives my team motivation. They beat us last year to knock us from the semis but we have beaten them recently and that's a good sign," he said.
