Portmore's sweet revenge - Champions blank TG in big RSPL clash

It was sweet revenge for Portmore United and coach, Shavar Thomas after the defending champions defeated Tivoli Gardens 2-0 in their Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) feature game at Spanish Town Prison Oval yesterday.

First-half goals from Rondee Smith (11th) and Javon East (40th) put the hosts in the driver's seat at the break and they never looked back, as they controlled the second half and limited their opponents' forays going forward.

"Beating them this time around was key as this is a very important round for us as well as keeping a clean sheet. To see what we worked on in training actually manifest itself in the game was very important - Not allowing them to play, closing them down, and double- and triple-teaming them. For the first balls, second balls, we were there. So to see this manifest at this stage of the season was very good for us," Thomas commented.

Portmore dominated the first-half and it was no surprise when hotshot Smith put them ahead after just 11 minutes of play. They continued to create opportunities after that and duly added to their advantage when East pounced to put them 2-0 up five minutes before the break.

Thomas stated that they learned from their mistake in the first encounter against the west Kingston team and made sure they did not make the same blunders that led to their 1-0 defeat in the first meeting at the same venue.

"In the first game we realised it was more of their wide play and their central midfielder (Tevin) Shaw. He (Shaw) gave them the opportunity to make that first pass but today we nullified all of that," he said.

He added that they are now looking to build on their excellent start to the second round, after two wins from as many game.

Tivoli's assistant coach, Kevon Wisdom said their inconsistency this season has continue to let them down.

"It (inconsistency) is really a concern for us and we have to work on it. We didn't play well in the first half, we had a very poor 25 minutes. We made some changes to the shape of the team to try and get back into the game but we just didn't lift the tempo of our game to get back in it. It was a lukewarm performance from us," Wisdom said.

Other Results

Montego Bay United 2 - 0 UWI FC

Portmore United 2-0 Tivoli Gardens

Harbour View 1-1 Dunbeholden

Waterhouse 2-0 Reno

Today's Games

Humble Lion vs Mount Pleasant @ 3:00 p.m.

Cavalier vs Arnett Gardens @ 5:00 p.m.