Photo: Portmore United captain, Ewan Grandison scored the decisive goal in a 2-1 win as last year’s beaten finalists defeated Tivoli Gardens 3-2 on aggregate in the quarterfinals of the Red Stripe Premier League. Portmore United will play in their second semifinal since returning to the Premier League last season.
A Ewan Grandison free kick late in the first half, decided the quarterfinal matchup between last year’s beaten finalists Portmore United and Tivoli Gardens at the Wembley Centre of Excellence on Sunday. The hosts ran out 2-1 winners on the day and advanced to the semifinals of the Red Stripe Premier League, 3-2 on aggregate.
Portmore had gotten an early goal through Javon East before Barrington Pryce responded from the penalty spot to level the match at 1-1 midway the half. Grandison then scored the winner shortly before the interval in an engaging quarterfinal matchup.
The spectators had barely gotten into their seats before the home crowd was celebrating the game’s opener. Portmore attacked through the left side and with the entire Tivoli defence drawn to the ball, East was left unattended at the back post. The striker brought the ball under control when it was crossed to him before shifting the ball beyond Davin Watkins and tapping home in the 5th minute.
Stunned by the early goal, Tivoli with a strong wind at their back, went on the attack and enjoyed a lot of possession through the lively pair of Authur Walters and Howard Morris who combined well down the left flank.
Elton Thompson who missed the first leg for Tivoli through injury, got the visitor’s first chance of the game when Walters picked him out at the back post but the striker could only get a toe unto the ball which allowed Shaven-Sean Paul to make a diving save.
Portmore thought they had gone 2-0 up when Ryan Wellington fired home from close range after he benefited from a deflection from a Grandison free kick, but their celebrations were cut short by the flag of assistant referee Richard Washington.
Tivoli continued to show attacking intent and were rewarded for their efforts when they were awarded a penalty after Wellington brought down Morris inside the box.
Barrington Pryce fired the ball powerfully into the roof of the net from 12 yards to level the game in the 23rd minute.
Walters was not afraid to run at the defence and gave the Portmore right back Osani Ricketts a hard time down the flank. The schoolboy was a constant menace with his tricky dribbles and faints and along with the wily Morris had the Portmore defence at sixes and sevens.
Thompson then benefitted from a friendly bounce and cut in from the right unto his weaker left foot before firing off a tame effort straight at Paul, when a better option was to pass to Morris.
At the other end, the other Morris, Ricardo and Javon East had the Tivoli defence on their toes as they tried to restore the lead for Portmore United.
Then with five minutes left on the first half clock, Grandison scored. Portmore were awarded a freekick deep in the Tivoli half on the left side and the burly captain, who is the dead ball specialist, stepped up to take responsibility. His fierce shot which was on target, took a deflection off Shavar Campbell and lodged in the back of the net, making it 2-1.
Tivoli coach Damion Gordon responded at the half time break, taking out an ineffective Mitchily Waul and bringing in leading scorer Jermaine Johnson to partner Thompson up front.
Johnson came close to bringing the teams level for a second time with a swerving free kick from 20 yards out, but Paul pulled off a superb save, diving to his right to tip the ball unto the upright before it was cleared to safety.
Morris then threaded the eye of a needle to pick out Thompson and the speedy forward outpaced the Portmore defence to get to the ball, but Paul was out in a flash to avert the danger. The keeper collided with Thompson while making the clearance and the forward came out the worse of the two from the clash.. Thompson was left limping after the tackle and had to be substituted shortly after.
With the clock winding down, Portmore put ten men behind the ball and defended stoutly to the final whistle, to book their spot in next week’s semifinals.
“We expected a physical contest based on the first leg but we kept our calm. What can I say, the team worked hard today and got what they deserved, winning and moving on to the semifinal. Our performance was much better than last week. Today was a matter of who wanted it most and today we worked really hard for it,” said a delighted Linval Dixon.
“We know the quality players we have in this team, so it is about giving them the confidence and encourage them to really go out and push. We should have scored a few more goals and put the game to bed, but such is the nature of football,” he concluded.
A deeply disappointed Damion Gordon said, “The reliable personnel didn’t turn up today. That is just football we can’t kill them. We just didn’t defend well today.”
Portmore who returned to topflight football last season, will be making back to back trips to the semifinals.
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