Adrian Frater, News Editor

Portmore's goal-scorer Onani Lowe (third from left with ball at his feet) holds ooff a challenge from Seba United's Scion McNish (right) in yesterday's NPL game between the two teams at Jarrett Park. Portmore won the game 3-0. - photo by adrian frater

Western Bureau:

Portmore United avenged their first round loss to Seba United in fine style yesterday afternoon when goals by Onandi Lowe, Adrian Reid and Carlington Smith gave them an emphatic 3-0 win over the Montego Bay team at Jarrett Park.

"We were tactically better than the Seba United team today as we made the adjustments required to turn around our first round loss," said Horace Reid, who gave the instructions from the Portmore bench. "We played a disciplined game today and that is the approach we are aiming for in all our games."

By virtue of their win, the Portmore team, which started the round in joint third place with Reno, retained their position in the upper half of the table while the Seba United team, which has been having a dismal season continued their rapid drop into the relegation zone.

"Honestly, I thought we over-trained coming into this game as after just 20 minutes some of the players started complaining about fatigue," said Seba United coach Jeffrey Maxwell. "It was not a good performance from us today."

Close the middle of the half, Portmore came perilously close when a spanking 35-yards free-kick by Lowe seemed destined for the goal before it was expertly deflected over the crossbar by the goalkeeper.

Seba created the first opportunity shortly after when Damion Williams tested goalkeeper Shawn Sawyers with a good long-range effort.

With Portmore in control and dictating the pace, they took the lead when a play started by Kevin Deerr saw the ball going into the path of Smith. He flicked the ball neatly to Lowe and with the Seba defence in disarray, he nodded home to make the score 1-0.

Portmore doubled their lead in the 38th minute. Reid was hacked down inside the penalty area and the referee ruled penalty. He got up and made no mistake from the spot, making the half-time score 2-0.

In second half action Portmore continued to dominate and they found more success in the 77th minute. On a smart break Lowe threaded a pass through the Seba defence to Smith speeding forward. From a difficult angle, he fired powerfully over the head of the goalkeeper and into the net, making the score 3-0.

Seba came to life briefly in the 80th and 84th minutes and created and wasted two chances. Firstly, Norman Wollery fumbled on the edge of the goal area and then Corey Myles got away before the goal but his effort was parried wide by goalkeeper Sawyers.

In the dying minutes of the game, Portmore substitute Oniel McDonald got behind the Seba defence but his shot struck the post and rebounded into play.

Seba - 0

Portmore -3

Ooandi Lowe 30th, Adrian Reid 38th, Carlington Smith 77th