Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter
A MIRACULOUS strike three minutes from time by substitute Collin Brown helped a 10-man Constant Spring team to an exciting 3-3 draw against defending champions Portmore United in Wray and Nephew National Premier League action yesterday at the Constant Spring complex.
Brown ran on to a through-ball that resulted from creative one-touch play just outside of the 18-yard box, to roll the ball wide of fully stretched Portmore keeper Sheldon Brown in the 87th minute.
This rescued his team from what looked to be a sure 3-2 defeat at the hands of the cup holders. It would have in fact been a tough loss for the Constant Spring faithful to swallow, as their team had played most of the game in a very positive fashion.
The first 20 minutes of the encounter saw them push the visitors on the back foot and they had several opportunities to snatch the early lead.
The dangerous Kevin Deerr would, however, take that opportunity away from them with a superb 25th-minute strike. Deerr showed silky smooth skills when he flicked a ball that came from a cross, over the head of one of two defenders rushing in, and then struck a ferocious half-volley that saw Constant Spring custodian Ralston Robinson unable to move a single muscle.
Constant Spring would not fold, though, and only four minutes later a pass resulting from a set piece would come through to the very industrious Jermaine Richards. Richards would not miss the opportunity to bring his team level as he easily buried the attempt from just a little over six yards out.
Richards would give Constant Spring even more cause for celebration in the 55th minute, when he would coolly slot home a penalty that resulted from a Tyrone Sawyers handled ball in the box.
The home team had their first lead of the season, but a second yellow card for Shawn Hunter with 20 minutes still left to play dealt a cruel blow to Constant Spring's chances of notching their first win.
PALMER RESCUES PORTMORE
After bouts of pressure, Portmore would take advantage of the extra man in the 76th minute. Sheldon Palmer turned to latch on to a rebound from a header, which came back off the post and hit it with plenty of pace past the helpless Robinson.
Palmer would add what looked to be a winner in the 83th when he ran on to a well-weighted through-ball from Craig Morrison to slot past Brown.
Portmore coach Paul Young believes his team should have come away with all three points.
"I am disappointed that we did not get the maximum points," he said. "Last week we had problems scoring and today we scored but gave up three sloppy goals."
Constant Spring coach Christopher Bender, while glad for the draw, cited the red card as a part of the reason his team may not have won.
"Today we gave all that we had in terms of effort. The decision of the red card affected us very badly, but we showed a lot of character in not giving up and coming back to draw the game," he said.
GOALSHEET
Portmore 3
Kevin Deer 25th, Sheldon Palmer 76th, 83rd
Constant Spring 3
Jermaine Richards 29th, 55th pen., Collin Brown 87th
