Humble Lion’s Price hails defenders after 1-0 win

Afiba Chambers’ 38th minute goal saw Humble Lion to back-to-back wins for the first time in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) this season.

The Clarendon-based club beat 10-man Portmore United 1-0 at the UWI-JFF Captain Horace Burrell Centre of Excellence yesterday, and coach Andrew Price believes the improved results are a sign that the team has started to gel.

Humble Lion turned back Cavalier 2-0 last week, and yesterday’s result lifted them one place up the table to eighth with 17 points, one more than Portmore.

Price said they are playing better defensively and making better use of their chances.

“It is the first time we have won two games in a row in a very long time. But I have always said, once we hit the straps and play good defensively, we will get goals.

“And today, defensively, we did very well and, when we got our opportunity, we took it,” he said.

“The platform has been set with clean sheets and three points. We want to get into the play-offs and we want to see if we can play some consistent football to the end of the season,” he added.

Humble Lion were the better team for most of the first half but they were indecisive in the final third and had very limited opportunities, despite their superiority.

However, Portmore’s Keni Charleston had the best chance of the half but he lifted his shot over the bar under pressure from goalkeeper Dennis Taylor.

Alvinus Myers also had a great chance when he broke away from the defence but his effort was denied by Taylor.

Humble Lion grabbed the go-ahead goal when Kemar Mullings’ strike was blocked on the line but Chambers slid home the loose ball from six yards.

After the break, Chevoy Watkin fired just wide of the target for Portmore, and Charleston headed over from three yards in the 63rd minute.

Portmore were reduced to 10 men in time added when Seigel Knight was ejected for denying Rayland Paisley a clear goalscoring opportunity.

Portmore coach Lenworth Hyde insists his players have quality but lack experience, leadership and character, but he will be trying to address these issues, as they still have a play-off spot in mind.

“We look good in training but, when it comes to the stage show, our artistes are not delivering. They shy away from the ball and do not play with confidence.

“But when you are rebuilding, you have to go through these patches, but we need to continue to work and see if we can get the best out of them. We need someone to step up and control the team,” he said.

In a game played in Clarendon, Vere stunned Arnett Gardens 2-1.

Today’s games

5:30 p.m: Waterhouse vs Molynes United

7:30 p.m: Harbour View vs Cavalier

Both games will be played at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com

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