Portmore's Binns off the mark
Published:Wednesday | January 31, 2018 | 12:00 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
Michael Binns, playing in a unusual left-back role, scored his first goal of the Red Stripe Premier League season to give league leaders Portmore United a hard-fought 2-1 win over hosts Tivoli Gardens and stretch the St Catherine club's lead at the top of the table to 12 points, at the Edward Seaga Complex yesterday.
Colorado Murray netted his eighth goal of the season after 25 minutes to put the home team 1-0 up. But Portmore ensured the teams went in at the break even when Holy Trinity High schoolboy Shai Smith fired home two minutes into added time at the end of the first half. But despite being under pressure for much of the second half, Binns produced a real moment of quality to snatch all three points from the hosts when he curled a free kick from 25 yards past Davin Watkins in goal.
"I feel very pleased to score the winner. It was a tough game, but the group stuck together, and we are very happy to come out victorious," Binns said. "It is my first one (goal) and this is my third game. I was overseas and just came back. I played against Humble Lion and we won 2-0, but against Cavalier, I got an early red card. I know I can do much more, but I am not 100 per cent fit, but when I am at my best, I will do much better," he added.
Binns, who deputised at left back at the request of coach Shavar Thomas, said the position is not unfamiliar, having played there as a youth and for his United Soccer League club, Wilmington Hammerheads. However, he was extremely grateful for the support the senior players in defence gave him.
"It's not really an unfamiliar position, but I haven't played there in a long time, so when coach asked me to play there yesterday (Tuesday), I said, 'Okay, no problem', because as professionals, that's what we do. It doesn't matter where you play. As long as I can help my team to the best of my ability, I am going to do it. But I had the senior guys at the back like (AndrÈ) Dyce talking to me every time I lapsed. He would tell me come inside or push out, and that helped me a lot, and I was grateful for that," he said.
Portmore lead the table on 56 points, followed by Arnett (44), Cavalier (38), Tivoli (37), UWI (35), and Waterhouse (33).
Yesterday's results
Tivoli 1, Portmore 2
Boys' Town 0, UWI FC 2
Humble Lion, 0 Reno 0
Today's games
3 p.m: Sandals vs Harbour View - STETHS
5 p.m: Cavalier vs Montego Bay United - Stadium East