Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer
DEFENDING WRAY and Nephew National Premier League champions Portmore United were yesterday held to a 0-0 draw by a more inspired Village United at the Elleston Wakeland Centre.
With the one point earned from yesterday's draw, Portmore move up to four points while Village have two points from their two draws.
For Village United, Shane Crawford was the main orchestrator of their activities. Looking slim and sharp, he drove his team forward while Collin Willaims provided stability in midfield.
There were also encouraging performances from Henrique Green, Troy Smith and Ricardo Reid. Occasionally Portmore sprung to life through Omar Daley, Ashaine Murray, Steven Morrissey and Jason Morrison.
WASTED CHANCE
Portmore United had the first real chance against the run of play when Daley broke down the right flank and and shot on goal. His shot was blocked by goalkeeper Alrick Henry and Dave Clarke missed the follow up.
Village wasted an opportunity in the 35th minute when Omar Allen muffed a chance with goalkeeper Shawn Sawyers beaten. Three minutes later, Portmore had another good opportunity when Daley motored down the right flank and crossed inside for Morrissey who was denied by the hardworking Jeff Pearce who put his body between the goal and the ball.
Three minutes before the half ended, Village could have taken the lead with a well-directed freekick from Smith but Allen could not get his header on target.
The second half saw the game moving in a similar direction and Village could have taken the lead 10 minutes in. Leon Irving worked his way down the right flank and crossed inside for Green who did well to control but he could not get a proper shot off.
In the 63rd minute, substitute Orane Miller sprang the off-side trap and was set by a Tyrone Sawyers miskick. With just Hart to beat, he shot straight at him. A follow-up header from Morrissey was again saved by Henry. The game continued in the same vein until referee Orville Sandcroft called a halt to it.
"We did not play well. That happened because of the bounce of the ball on this poor surface. We still created a few chances . When you create chances on this surface, you have to score," said Portmore technical director Horace Reid at the end of the game.
SATISFIED WITH PERFORMANCE
Reid also gave credit to the Village team which "kept running at us for most of the game".
Village's Mervin White, who stood in for Dr. Dean Weatherly, was generally satisfied with the performance. "It was an okay performance. We created a number of opportunities but did not capitalise. Despite that, we have been improving and generally, I am satisfied with the performance," he said.
SCOREBOARD
PORTMORE 0
VILLAGE 0
