Portmore United ensured that the time spent by the defending champions Arnett Gardens at the top of the Red Stripe Premier League was a mere 24 hours after they carved out a narrow 1-0 win over Harbour View courtesy of a 72nd minute striker from substitute Ricardo Morris on Monday night.
The imposing Evan Grandison was the first to have a shot to goal in the match and though it was always going wide, gave the goalkeeper something to think about.
At the other end Stephen Barnett threaded the eye of a needle to find Sheldon McKoy but the ball drifted a little bit wide of the target creating a difficult angle for the shot on goal and a routine save for Shaven Paul.
Javon East who looked threatening up front with his pace and skill, shrugged off former Portmore defender Rosario Harriott before stinging the palm of Mark Bryan. Paul Wilson was lively in the middle of the park for Portmore and proved a handful for Nicholas Beckett to contain.
Ten minutes before the break, Portmore cut open the Harbour View defence but Grandison tried to find a teammate with a pass when the better option would have been to shoot.
The teams went in 0-0 at the break but with Portmore creating the better chances.
Portmore started the second half on the front foot and a ferocious left foot drive from Stephen Williams went inches past the far post. Both teams tried to find a way to goal but it was proving challenging on a cool night in Harbour View
Both teams rang the changes and it would prove decisive for the visitors. Morris who was played in close to goal did well to round goalkeeper Bryan then had the simple task of rolling the ball into an empty net shortly after being introduced to the game.
Portmore took over the game after that and another substitute, Tremaine Stewart, had a couple of chances to double his team’s lead.
The final whistle was greeted with much jubilation by the Portmore team as they avenged their first round loss and returned to the top of the league.
The win moves Portmore up to 40 points, two more than Arnett who have 38 and three more than Montego Bay United who lost to Arnett Gardens on Sunday. The result also means that Harbour View missed the chance to move into the top four as they remain on points 26 points, three behind Humble Lion who lost to the resurgent Cavalier on Sunday.
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