Portmore are regular season RSPL Champions

Portmore United FC have risen from the ashes to crown themselves regular season champions of the Red Stripe Premier League on the penultimate match day of the 2015-2016 season. Their 1-1 draw with the University of the West Indies coupled with losses by both Arnett Gardens and Montego Bay United means that they cannot be caught with their four points lead at the top of the tables.

Relegated from the league just two seasons ago, Portmore United has returned with a bang and have been able to rise to the top despite not having a settled home ground for the first part of the competition. UWI slipped from fourth to fifth and must now win on Sunday and hope that Humble Lion lose to make it to the semifinals.

In other games played on Thursday, champions Arnett Gardens FC were blown away by Harbour View 3-0 at the Harbour View Stadium. Evan Taylor gave the Stars of the East the lead from the penalty spot on the half hour, before a second half brace from John Ross Edwards secured the win for the Ludlow Bernard coached team. But it was too little too late for the former champions, who now have 43 points and can get to a maximum of 46 points. Fourth placed Humble Lion FC have 47 points thanks to their 2-0 win over Cavalier. The Humble Lion win came courtesy of a brace from Kevon Rein in the 37^th and 56^th minutes.

The win for Humble Lion means they are in poll position to seal the fourth and final semi-final spot on Sunday after UWI dropped two points in their draw with Portmore.

Montego Bay United lost for the third time in a row this season when they went down 4-2 to Rivoli United who are fighting for their premier league lives. Rivoli United took the lead in the 30^th minute when Shawn Hinds struck, but the league’s leading scorer, Owayne Gordon, leveled things just six minutes later. Hinds then responded in the 39^th minute to give Rivoli a 2-1 half time lead.

Valentine Gardner then made it 3-1 in the 63^rd minute before Gordon dragged the former champions back into the contest, making it 3-2 with just three minutes left on the clock. But Hinds proved to be the man of the moment for Rivoli when he completed his hat- trick a minute from time to make it 4-2 to the home team who moved up to 33 points and climbed out of the relegation zone, but only just. They are tied on points with 11^th placed Cavalier who they lead on goal difference.

In the dead rubber game at the Barbican Field, Tivoli Gardens FC beat Boys Town 3-0. The game was tied 0-0 at half time but Tivoli continued their late season renaissance, with goals from Andre Gordon (60^th), Miguel Ricketts (65^th) and Davian Goulbourne (87^TH) securing the three points.

At Drewsland, Waterhouse FC extended their stay of execution to the final day of the season in a rollercoaster affair with another relegation threatened team, FC Reno. The home team took the lead in the 27^th minute when Kemar Beckford fired home. A beautifully taken goal by DeAndre Brown 10 minutes later had the small home crowd on their feet as they dreamed of the survival. But their smiles turned to frowns when Renario Downswell steered home from close range five minutes before the break.

Kenroy Howell made it 3-1 in the 65^th minute but Downswell hit his second of the game to make it 3-2 in the 82^nd minute. The Anthony Patrick team held on to their slim lead for the final eight minutes to secure the three points ahead of ‘decision Sunday’ as four teams now anxiously await their fate on the final day of the season.

As it now stands, ninth placed Reno has 34 points but a horrendous goal difference of -18. Rivoli United on 33 points occupy 10^th position. They have the same number of points as Cavalier, who sits a place below them in 11^th position by virtue of goal difference. Last place Waterhouse have 31 points, as the bottom four clubs are separated by a mere three points.