Robert Bailey, Freelance Reporter

Police National's Michael Cohen (left) controls the ball ahead of Meadhaven United's Everald Thompson during their KASAFA Super League match yesterday at Barbican. Meadhaven won 2-0. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

THE JAMAICA Defence Force (JDF) reduced Police National's lead at the top of the Kingston and St. Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) /Jamaica National (JN) Super League following their 2-0 victory over Santos at Up Park Camp yesterday.

The JDF are now in second place with 37 points, two behind leaders Police National (39), who were beaten 2-0 by third-placed Meadhaven United (36).

At Barbican, Meadhaven United dominated the early going and were rewarded in the 31st minute when national Under-20 representative Keammar Daley volleyed home a powerful right-foot shot past goalkeeper Kirk Williams. Daley came close to scoring a second goal on the stroke of halftime but his point-blank attempt shaved the crossbar.

Ten minutes after the break, Police National's Jermaine Grey nearly gave his team the equaliser, but with goalkeeper Andrew Gibson at his mercy, his close-range effort went wide of the target.

Meadhaven United were awarded a penalty in the 80th minute after Norman Bailey was brought down inside the area by Williams but Omar Longbridge's spot kick was spectacularly saved by Williams, who dove full stretch to his right.

Two minutes before time, Meadhaven United's captain, RohanWilliams, doubled the lead when he fired home a well-placed corner kick from Daley.

Ljyasu Simms, coach of Meadhaven United, was delighted with his team's victory.

"I think this was well deserved for my team today," Simms said.

"We trained for this because we knew coming into the second round that every game was going to be very important for us. We are going to continue on this path," he said.