Audley Boyd, Assistant Sport Editor

Meadhaven United forward Keammar Daley moves away from a Sporting Central defender during their Digicel Premier League clash at Drewsland Sports Complex. The game ended 1-1. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

A CLASSIC Omar Campbell goal at the 39th minute clinched a 1-0 victory and Portmore United's second in as many starts over hosts Arnett Gardens in their Digicel Premier League feature at Tony Spaulding Sports Complex yesterday.

"It was a beautiful goal," remarked Campbell's coach, Linval Dixon. "It set the tone because we knew we didn't have to come out and push too hard."

Even the opposing coach, Jerome Waite, had to comment on the beautiful strike.

"It was a spectacular goal, one that would have scored at every level," Waite said.

Power goal

Benefitting from a hasty clearance from Anthowe Dawkins which went awfully awry as he slipped with the ball spooning from the right angle of his penalty box to the centre of the pitch, Campbell, with acres of space, drifted right then unleashed a powerhouse from 30 yards that rocketed into the goal off the top of goalkeeper Joel Messam's right-hand post.

While keeping the defending champions perfect with six points, the result sent Arnett slumping in the other direction as they remain without a point.

On Sunday, they suffered a similar 1-0 defeat at neighbouring Boys' Town and if there were many arguments then, this time there was a greater acceptance of defeat due to the high quality concession.

"It's a perfect start," noted Dixon. "We are the champions and we want to defend our crown. There are 11 other teams that are coming very hard at us in every match. Six points from two games, it's a wonderful start."

Dangerous play

Portmore went closest to scoring when Steven Morrissey hit a shot against the crossbar in the 62nd minute. During that fluctuating second half, Arnett pressed hard and were dominant in the first 10 minutes.

But Portmore were more dangerous thereafter, much owing to their off-the-ball movement and especially Eric Vernon's free running which made him hard to pick up as he maintained a constant threat.

It was different from the first half, which was well-contested and of a decent quality, but for the squares that were woefully inaccurate.

Both teams got glorious chances early, Vernon's grounder from an angle blocked by the goalie in a near 50-50 challenge.

The miss of the game, though, came from Arnett full back Charles Williams.

Cheekily fed a pass on the ground by Kevin Wilson, when everyone expected him to make a direct try from a free kick, Williams went unchallenged at Shawn Sawyers, bound to his line merely eight yards away.

The defender shaped several times, before rocketing a low kick straight into the goalie's body.

Disappointed

"Whatever chances we've created in the two games we've not scored," Waite said. "I'm disappointed with the team and the performance today.

"There will be added pressure on not only the coach but the players, management and everybody when you lose two games and it's full time for this team to make the turning point because we can't afford to find ourselves with no points after three games."

Arnett will next host Waterhouse on Sunday, while Portmore travel to face Trelawny's Village United out west.