Portmore United's double goalscorer, Roen Nelson (left), heads the ball which hits the head of Village United's Nigel Ellis, during the Digicel Premier League match at Ferdie Neita Park yesterday. Village won 2-1. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

MICHAEL CAMPBELL yesterday netted a goal in either half to lead Boys' Town to a 3-1 win over Reno at Collie Smith Drive, keeping the Red Brigade third and within striking distance of the leaders in the Digicel Premier League.

Defending champions Portmore United, with a game in hand, beating Village United 2-1 at Ferdie Neita Park, getting both goals from hot Roen Nelson, who, similar to last season, has immediately impacted on his return from Joe Public in Trinidad and Tobago.

Nelson, who handed Portmore a 1-0 last-minute win over Arnett Gardens on Wednesday, opened the scoring in the 56th minute, but saw his strike cancelled by Preston Corporal 10 minutes later.

However, the Portmore striker, who led the Trinidadian semi-pro league with most goals by a foreigner, struck again in the 71st to keep the defending champs fourth on 25 points, two behind Boys' Town. Tivoli are second on 27, after being held goalless at home by fifth place St Georges (23).

Wonderful goal

At Collie Smith Drive, Boys' Town led in the 31st minute when midfielder Campbell ran onto a pass from Garfield Gillespie, shielded the ball nicely from defender Oshane Foote, picked his spot well and buried a right-footer past goalie Oshane Lewis.

A stinging George Vernal free kick was too hot for Foote in the 33rd minute, slamming into the Reno keeper's hands before hitting the underside of the crossbar and falling for Peter Keyes, who headed into goal for a 2-0 lead.

However, Reno pulled one back on the stroke of half-time when Obrian Woodbine's lob from the right side of the penalty box beat goalie Kirk Porter, but not the crossbar. The rebound fell sweetly for striker Gary McIntosh, who booted in from inside the six-yard box.

Unlike the first half when both teams traded shots at goal, the game broke down after the restart. However, Campbell, who watched a 48th minute shot whiz over Reno's crossbar, popped up on the right side of goal in the 75th to finish a good build-up.

Herrera's effort

Substitute Zeicko Herrera rolled a pass across goal for Vernal, who in turn laid off a pass to Campbell on the right side of the box. The tricky Boys' Town midfielder dribbled two paces forward and unleashed a cracker from an angle, giving Foote no chance from close range.

Boys' Town coach Andrew Price praised his team for netting three goals in successive games, but said he was concerned about giving up a "soft" one in the first half.

"We've been getting some goals but we need to tighten defence. We gave up a soft goal but if I can get three goals every game, I would be a happy man," he said.

The former St Georges College and Boys' Town defender said it's all about keeping pace with the leaders.

"Our objective is to win as many points as possible to stay with the leaders and be ready to pounce if they falter," he said.

Meanwhile, Reno's Wendell Downswell was dejected after his team's second road loss in four days, going down 2-0 at Tivoli last Wednesday.

"It's a very disappointing result," he said. "We were competitive in the first 20 minutes but conceded a soft goal and another after. We went unbeaten for nine games in the first round but it's not good now."

Reno stayed seventh on 13 points, joined by promoted Rivoli, who made a giant leap - with a 2-0 win at Sporting Central Academy - from the foot of the standings to go eighth, on goal difference, after starting the day last on 10 points.