Returnees guide Portmore to win
Published:Monday | January 13, 2020 | 12:29 AM
Portmore United head coach Ricardo Gardner praised returning players Ricardo Morris and Chevaney Willis for their contribution to the team’s 2-0 win over Arnett Gardens at the Spanish Town Prison Oval yesterday.
Morris, whose loan spell with Finland club VPS ended recently, fired the hosts in front in the fifth minute while Willis, who was on loan with Bethlehem Steel in the United Soccer League in the United States, scored a blistering free kick in the 35th minute.
Willis played his first game back for the team last week while Morris was playing his first match. Gardner was pleased that both players, who helped Portmore to the championship last season, could have such a big impact in a short time.
“They were very important,” Gardner said. “They are quality players, and you saw it in their display, and I know there will be more coming from them going forward.”
The host took the lead when the ball was handled in the area and Morris dispatched the resulting kick for the champions.
Arnett were unfortunate not to get a goal themselves as they created a number of openings, with Kemal Malcolm, Fabian Reid, and Jamar Martin getting good looks at goal, but could not make their chances count.
Portmore added a second 10 minutes from the break when Willis scored a scorching free kick from 28 yards out, giving Damion Hyatt no chance.
Arnett continued to apply pressure after the break, but Portmore were ever dangerous on the counter, and Morris, Revaldo Mitchell, and Rondee Smith wasted good chances to add to their tally.
Arnett coach Alex Thomas said Portmore deserved the win.
“They wanted it more,” he said. “They were first to the ball, and we got clear-cut chances and couldn’t convert.”