Daraine Luton, Freelance Writer
PORTMORE United remain the only unbeaten team in the Wray and Nephew National Premier League after playing to a goalless draw with Village United at Ferdie Neita Park yesterday.
It was the second time in as many meetings either side failed to gain the advantage over the other after both teams had played to a 0-0 tie on September 14, at the Elliston Wakeland Centre in Trelawny.
Yesterday's draw, their eighth in 13 games, meant that Portmore inched up to 23 points to hold firm at second in the standings. However, the defending champions are 10 points off leaders Harbour View who are on 33.
CONVERTING DRAWS INTO WINS
With no semi-finals and finals in the new format of the NPL, Portmore's technical director Horace Reid knows his team will have to start converting draws into wins.
"I am not worried. We know what is required and so what we have to do is continue working hard," Reid said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Dean Weatherly whose team held firm in third on 21 points with the draw, believes there is room for improvement but was glad for the point.
"It is better to leave with a point than none at all, especially when you are playing against a quality team like Portmore," Dr. Weatherly said.
Mario Swaby and Rafei Wolfe were particularly responsible for Portmore coming away empty handed. Both were culprits in front of goal, missing clear opportunities from six yards.
Swaby kicked a Jason Morrison pass agonisingly wide in the 66th minute despite having only a scrambling Allien Whittaker in goal to beat.
And in the 75th minute, Wolfe, faced with an empty goal, booted high after Omar Daley had dissected Whittaker and his defence with a horizontal pass from inside the penalty box.
"We created enough chances to score but we did not. We did not show sufficient composure in front of goal and that is the reason we have only a point to show," Reid said.
GOALSHEET
Portmore 0
Village 0
