Ainsley Walters, Gleaner Writer

Portmore United's Carlington Smith (left) dribbles the ball towards the empty goal as Rivoli's Omar Parker (right), keeper Leighton Murray (second right) and Portmore's Steven Morrissey (partly hidden on ground) during the Digicel Premier League football match at Ferdie Neita Park yesterday. Smith scored both goals in Portmore's 2-0 win. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

STRIKER Carlington Smith yesterday knocked the wind out of promoted Rivoli with two first-half goals, handing champions Portmore United a 2-0 win in their Digicel Premier League opener at Ferdie Neita Park.

Midfielder Bryan Bayliss got Portmore's first chance in the 15th minute, but sent a booming shot sailing wide of goal from eight yards after pouncing on a ball flicked from the back-post touchline by Smith.

It did not take long for Smith to show Bayliss how to keep his cool on the edge of the box, as he easily slotted into an empty goal with keeper Leighton Murray and his defenders stranded after Steven Morrissey sent a defence-splitting pass into the area.

Portmore's opening goal seemingly stung Rivoli into action and they started looking better in attack but paid the price of coming forward, conceding an embarrassing 40th minute goal.

More than a dozen passes out of Portmore's defence ended with Smith finishing the play without a single Rivoli player, barring a deflection inside the box, getting a boot to the ball.

Cruising on the lead

The promoted side looked better in the second half, especially after pulling sluggish midfielder Creig Morrison. However, Portmore's technical director, Donovan Duckie, said they were simply cruising on the lead.

"The first half intensity was up there but the game lost its competitive edge in the second half," he pointed out.

Rivoli's Anthony Thompson all but conceded his team was outclassed in the first half by the champions.

"We had some lapses in the first half and made some changes in the midfield for the second half. We still have some departments to work on," he added.

Veteran striker Devon Hodges, Rivoli's leading scorer during the Premier League play-offs, was the promoted team's best attacker but the likes of midfielders Morrison and Mark Newsome had too many turnovers, gifting Portmore almost every ball in the middle of the park.