Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer

A plucky performance from a depleted Village unit, poor shooting by the Portmore United forwards and if the Portmore coaching staff is to be believed, a below-par performance from the officials, denied Portmore United three points in yesterday's Wray and Nephew National Premier League encounter.

In the game played at the Elliston Wakeland Centre, the visiting former champions created enough chances to score but the likes of Carlington Smith especially lacked the finishing touch.

Smith could have stolen the game for his team in the 87th minute, when with the easiest chance of the game, he shot tamely from close to six yards, allowing the advancing Leighton Murray to save with his feet.

The veteran Oneil McDonald almost earned himself the nickname 'Miracle Man' when mere seconds after replacing Smith he worked his way into the 18-yard box and had an effort cleared off the line by the warrior, Preston Bernard.

"We had the chances to win but did not take them. It is as simple as that," Portmore coach Paul Young opined after the game, adding that his team was probably lacking in confidence in the final third of the field.

"I think we scored a fair goal in the first half but they said it was not a goal. The referee did not follow the game. He stayed in the middle of the field and if the referee is not fit enough to officiate, then they should get someone else," Young said of referee Raymond Pine who did not have one of his best games.

While Young's comments were for the record, during the course of the game technical director Horace Reid wondered aloud if the officials had, "A bit too much sorrel over the festive season."

He also questioned the fitness of the referee and pointed to his own stomach and stated that he had a flatter stomach than the FIFA referee.

Besides the officiating, the Portmore aggregation would have been less than happy with the hospitality displayed as missiles were hurled at goalkeeper Sheldon Brown, which forced a temporary halt to the game.

As far as Village's interim coach Fitzroy 'Johnny' Reid was concerned, it was a job well done by his skeleton staff. So bare was the Village cupboard that reserve goalkeeper Elvis Hart sat on the substitutes' bench in the number eight jersey of an outfield player.

"It was a positive result for us when you look at the team that we fielded. It was a young, depleted team. They played to instructions and did what was asked of them so I feel good about that," said Reid, who saw the veteran Bernard keep close tabs on former national striker Onandi Lowe.

Village 0

Portmore 0