Robert Bailey, Freelance Writer

Police National strengthened their quest for aspot in the Wray and Nephew National Premier League play-off with a 2-0 victory over Constant Spring in the Kingston and St. Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) /Jamaica National (JN) Super League at Barbican on Saturday.

Police National lead the points standings with 36, six more than Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) who recorded a 3-0 victory over bottom place Barbican (7). Meadhaven United (30) are now in third place after they were held to a 0-0 draw by Bull Bay (19).

In other games, Maverley/ Hughenden (16) defeated Santos (23) 2-0, Greenwich Town (13) played to a 0-0 draw with Duhaney Park (19) and Cavalier (19) drew 0-0 with Mountain View United (18).

At Up Park Camp, Andre Redwood opened the scoring for the JDF when he headed home a well-placed cross from Mark Miller past goalkeeper Donovan Walker.

Two minutes later, Cecil Sturridge increased the soldiers' lead when he fired home powerfully from point-blank range past Walker.

Substitute Merrick Jennings could have pulled a goal back for Barbican on the stroke of half-time, but his close range effort was spectacularly saved by national goalkeeper Allien Whittaker. ˚Ten minutes after the break, Barbican's Ricardo Scott missed an easy chance to pull one back for his team, but after dribbling his way past two JDF defenders and with Whittaker at his mercy he shot wide of the target.

Robert Wright scored the JDF's third goal of the game in the 61st minute when he lobbed the ball over the head of the advancing Walker. The visitors were awarded a penalty five minutes from time after substitute Damion Edwards was brought down inside the penalty box. However, Everton Mattis' spot kick was spectacularly saved by Whittaker diving to his left.

Owen Nelson, coach of the JDF, said he was glad for the win, but displeased with his team's performance.

"I am happy for the three points but I am very disappointed in how the team carried out the instructions," said Nelson. "We should have played a much more controlled game and that is simple because themental aspect of the game is one of the hardest things to adapt to, but I am definitely happy for the win."

Delroy Seixas, coach of Barbican, said: "I am disappointed at the run of play, but this team is a very young team that was on the field, because most of the players are from Excelsior High school and I think that inexperience was what cost us the game."