Howard Walker, Staff Reporter
TWO PENALTIES by Kevin Deerr propelled Portmore United to a convincing 3-0 victory over Constant Spring during their Wray and Nephew National Premier League (NPL) game at the Ferdie Neita Park yesterday.
Deerr struck in the 24th and 65th minutes after referee Courtney Campbell awarded the home team the spot kicks. Substitute Anthony Bennett completed the rout in the 89th minute, toe-punching the ball past Spring's goalkeeper.
Portmore, in securing their seventh win of the season, now have 30 points, a whopping 19 points behind leaders Harbour View on 49 points and Waterhouse on 38.
Paul Young, coach of Portmore, said he was pleased with his team's performance although the players were sluggish in the first half.
"In the first half we were a little bit slow and not working enough but overall I am pretty pleased with the performance," said Young.
Former national striker Onandi Lowe made his long-awaited debut and turned in a workmanlike performance and Young was also satisfied with his contribution.
"Overall I am pleased. He needs to get a little fitter but he is gelling okay. Onandi Lowe is very powerful and not easy to bundle off the ball so we had to use his height and strength and hopefully the players would play off him. He did excellently today," added Young.
Meanwhile, Constant Spring were quickly brought back down to earth after securing their first win of the season last Wednesday.
STILL IN FESTIVE MOOD
Danny Lyn, technical director of Constant Spring, thought his team was still in a festive holiday mood.
"The Christmas didn't come out of them yet. In the first 20 minutes we got chances and after Portmore got the the two penalties, they dropped their wings," noted Lyn.
"I didn't think we had the energy that we had in the last couple of games. We have to refocus ourselves and deal with the situation as it comes along," Lyn said.
Portmore United, with the towering but trim Lowe in their line-up, dominated early and deservedly took the lead in the 24th minute. The skilful Jason Morrison was pulled down in the box and Deerr calmly powered home to give the home team the lead.
But Constant Spring didn't falter and created a few chances themselves but could not convert.
Then in the 65th minute, Campbell again awarded Portmore a penalty for hand ball and again Deerr powered pass Kirk Williams in goal.
Bennett then drove the final nail into Constant Spring's coffin. After collecting a ball just inside the box and without enough time to get off a proper shot, he cleverly toe-punched the ball past the diving goalkeeper.
GOALSHEET
Portmore United 3
Kevin Deerr, 24th and 65th
Anthony Bennett, 89th
Constant Spring 0
