Howard Walker, Staff Reporter

Portmore United's Wolry Wolfe (right) passes the ball as he is challenged by Tivoli Gardens' Horace Howell during their Wray and Nephew National Premier League at Edward Seaga Stadium yesterday. Portmore won 1-0. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer.

An 89th minute strike from Garth Botha carried Portmore United to a 1-0 win over Tivoli Gardens in their Wray and Nephew National Premier League (NPL) encounter at the Edward Seaga Stadium yesterday.

Botha, who replaced Onandi Lowe, collected a ball just outside the box on the left flank, cut inside and fired a torrid low shot that eluded goalkeeper Damion Crooks.

Earlier, Tivoli Gardens missed a penalty in the 65th minute after goalkeeper Shawn Sawyers fouled Horace Howell in the box.

Spot kick

Substitute Christopher Nicholas, on for the injured Howell, took the spot kick and saw his shot - his first touch of the ball - sail wide of Sawyers' left hand and the left upright.

Tivoli's coach, Calvert Fitz-gerald, justified his team's decision to allow Nicholas to take the penalty with his first touch of the ball.

Said Fitzgerald: "He has been training for the past two months and he kicks penalties every evening. He is our designated penalty kicker.

"He has been warming for the past five minutes but that's how penalties go. Another player could have taken it and missed as well. You score some and you don't score some," noted Fitzgerald.

Tivoli remain on 27 points in mid table and saw their chances of closing gap on the leaders fade away.

Portmore, the 2005 champions, move to 34 points in fourth position with the leaders in touching distance.

Winning coach Paul Young was not surprised of his away victory against the team just behind them in the tables.

Said Young: "We always play well down here and sometimes you need the luck. They missed a penalty and we got some chances to score. But we are thankful for the victory and three valuable points."

Scores

Tivoli