Dwight Nelson, Gleaner Writer

FIRST-ROUND champions Portmore United defeated Sporting Central Academy 2-0 in their first game of the second round of the Cash Plus Primer League (CPPL) at Brancourt yesterday.

Portmore dominated most of the first half with greater ball possession but failed to make it truly count on the scoresheet.

The visitors could have scored as early as the third minute when Steven Morrissey missed a sitter in the Sporting Central goal area.

Portmore United pushed themselves into the lead in the 30th minute when Wolry Wolfe pushed a ball to Carlos Barrett in Sporting Central's 18-yard box and he booted past Sporting Central custodian Leighton Murray.

The second half was a more exciting affair with both teams sharing possession and launching attacks on each others' goal area. Portmore United could have enhanced their lead in the 58th minute when Morrissey missed a header from a Ricardo Cousins' cross in Sporting Central area.

And, Sporting Central could have found themselves back into the game with two minutes of regulation remaining when Ian Palmer dribbled the ball past Portmore United goalkeeper Shawn Sawyers but fumbled, giving the 'keeper enough time to recover.

Four minutes into time added on, Portmore United got a defenders' goal when Hugan Grey tried to make a clearance in the Sporting Central goal area but the ball deflected off Eric Vernon and beat keeper Leighton Murray.

Portmore United coach Linval Dixon said: "It was a good game for us. We came here a little bit drained after our first-round final on Sunday."

Portmore	2
Carlos Barrett (30th), Eric Vernon og (90th) Sporting Central	0