Portmore up to fourth with come-from-behind 2-1 win

Goals from second-half substitutes Shaquwell Henry and Orlando Russell carried Portmore to a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Humble Lion in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) at the Waterhouse Mini Stadium yesterday.

With the win, Portmore jumped one place to fourth on 38 points, while Humble Lion are rooted at the foot of the table on 14.

Portmore had the first chance of the game in the opening minutes, but Rushaun Small shot straight to Peter Harrison in the Humble Lion goal.

Chandol Anderson had Humble Lion’s first opportunity, but he slammed wide after his first attempt hit a defender. Cleo Clarke, Humble Lion’s main threat in the first half, dragged a good chance wide moments later, under pressure from goalkeeper Benjamin Williams

He then came close to breaking the deadlock in the 28th minute, but Williams denied his effort from six yards.

However, in the 36th minute, Clarke turned home a cross from Jay Jamieson to put Humble Lion ahead.

After the break, Portmore’s Cardel Benbow tried to get his team on level terms but missed the target.

Sajay Anderson nearly added to Humble Lion lead, only for his low shot to hit the base of the post.

However, Herny would get Portmore back in the contest when he fired home a loose ball, which the Humble Lion defence failed to clear, in the 77th minute.

Portmore grew in confidence after the goal, and Javier Brown had two excellent efforts that Harrison was equal to, while Clayton Peck had a good chance but was off target with his strike.

The Rodolph Austin-coached Portmore bagged all three points a minute from time when Tarick Ximines found Russell with a delightful cross, and the striker headed home spectacularly for the winner.

“At one point I thought it was going to be one of those days,” said Portmore assistant coach Ricardo Smith. “What we were doing was not working in the first half, so we had to make the changes to make an impact, and the players who came in (Romeo Guthrie and Javier Brown) were players who usually start for the team. They are impact players, so we knew it would pay dividends for us.”

Humble Lion coach Alex Thomas said poor concentration continues to haunt them after taking the lead in matches.

“The main thing I have said to the players in the last two games is to concentrate after getting a goal. The same thing happened against Molynes United and Arnett Gardens. We have to concentrate for 90 minutes,” he stated.