Howard Walker, Staff Reporter
Portmore United's captain and sweeper Anthony Modeste (right) and Arnett Gardens striker Gregg Taylor runs toward the ball during the Wray and Nephew National Premier League football match at Ferdie Neita Sports Complex, yesterday. Portmore United won 2-0. - IAN ALLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
DEFENDING CHAMPIONS Portmore United scored a comfortable 2-0 win over Arnett Gardens in their Wray and Nephew National Premier League (NPL) game at the Ferdie Neita Sport Complex yesterday.
A curling free-kick by Wolry Wolfe in the 13th minute set the tempo for an easy victory which was completed by Kevin Deerr's 68th minute penalty.
Portmore, without the towering Onandi Lowe who was considered to be unfit by the coaching staff, barely had to work for their three points.
Meanwhile Arnett Gardens, without the influential Kevin Wilson looked tepid, lacked verve and were never in the hunt.
Portmore join Village on 34 points, but hold third position with a better goal difference and Desmond Smith, Portmore's assistant coach, is not giving up on the title race just yet.
GIVING THEIR BEST SHOT
"It is not impossible for us to catch Harbour View, so we are giving it our best shot. If our best is not good enough, so be it," said Smith, a former player for this very same Portmore United (back in the Hazard days) and Arnett Gardens.
Smith, deputising for Paul Young who is off the island, said he just wanted the players to enjoy themselves on the field.
"The guys really wanted it today and that was the difference. Before the game I let them know that they must just go out there and enjoy the football. That was lacking, we were playing, but not enjoying the game,"noted Smith, the former no-nonsense national centre half.
Arnett Gardens started the day on 31 points, the same as Portmore, but turned in a lethargic performance to leave the grounds empty-handed.
Michael Tulloch, coach of Arnett Gardens was a disappointed man after seeing his team's performance following Sunday's impressive 5-1 mauling of Reno.
"I am very disappointed. After the team applied themselves so well on Sunday and seeing that we came today and played flat is really disappointing. But football is like that."
According to Tulloch, although Arnett Gardens are effectively out of the title race, they are still staying focused and will play their best in every game.
"We are still in a competition and we aim to compete right to the end. We will not fold up because we cannot be champion. We will continue to play good quality football and try to win as many games as we can," said Tulloch.
The league continues today with the four outstanding games in the second round.
Runaway leaders Harbour View (51 points) will play Tivoli Gardens (29) at Edward Seaga Stadium at 6:00 p.m.; Boys' Town (27) will host second-placed Waterhouse (42) at Collie Smith Drive at 3:00 p.m.; Wadadah (18) will host Rivoli (15) at Jarrett Park at 3:30 p.m. and Seba (25) will travel to Frome Sports Ground for a 3:00 p.m. match-up against Reno (21).
GOALSHEET
Portmore 2
Wolry Wolfe, 13th
Kevin Deerr, 68th
Arnett Gardens 0
