Nelson strike hands P'More KO crown

BY ANDREW HANCEL Observer writer

Tuesday, February 07, 2012

PORTMORE United dethroned Frazsiers Whip of the LIME/Happy Sutherland KO title, beating them 1-0 in a pulsating final at Prison Oval on Sunday.

Roen Nelson's angled drive in the 41st minute was the difference between both sides, while Alton Brown muffed the best chance for Frazsiers when he shot wide at an unguarded goal from eight yards.

For all intents and purposes, it was a game that had the fans in the capacity-filled stands at the Oval on the edge of their seats as the Major League outfit predictably took the fight to the Premier League leaders.

Coach Calvin Lewis took the decision to give his senior players adequate rest ahead of a tough away game on Wednesday to Humble Lions and drafted 10 of his under-21 players for this eagerly-awaited final.

Rayon Gordon, Frazsiers' coach, also made a few adjustments of his own, handing first-time starts to goalkeeper Kadeem Davis, who was on loan at Harbour View, and right-back Dwaine Gordon.

In the end, though, it was a very stern assessment in which Lewis' young guns were successful, while giving their team a fifth hold of the trophy.

Frazsiers, on the other hand, can hold their heads high for a gallant effort, and they will have another crack at the big boys when they represent the parish in the nationwide FLOW Cup where they were semi-finalists last season.

"We created more chances than them and should have won the game. A goal was scored and some of the players lost their focus. It's something that I've talked to them about as you have to learn how to win from behind," said a disappointed Frazsiers coach.

"At half-time I told them to lift their game because we have the potential to win. But we have to just work on that aspect of our game going forward."

Naturally, Lewis was happier while admitting it was a tough game for them.

"Yes it was a very difficult game, but we have a big game coming this Wednesday and the players were really reserving themselves for the Humble Lion game.

"Our focus this season is really the Premier League... but the important thing is that they didn't breach our defence any time tonight," Lewis said.

"I think possession-wise we didn't close down the ball well enough and when he had possession we didn't keep the ball for long periods," he added.

Lincoln "Happy" Sutherland, the man in whose honour the trophy is named, was present. And he wasn't to be disappointed as the game swung from end to end.

Chances were not so clearcut in the first 15 minutes with the boys from Red Pond showing the early initiative. But as soon as both sides settled into their rhythm, fans got a taste of what was to come.

On 22 minutes, Ricardo Morris fashioned Portmore's first real chance when his lobbed pass from inside the box found Nico Brett, but the former Frazsiers striker tapped over from six yards.

The dangerous pair of Kemar Beckford and Alton Brown then combined on the half-hour mark and cut open Portmore's defence, but a rasping effort from the former was tipped over by goalkeeper Garice McPherson.

Afterwards, the Premier League side would enjoy a brief period of dominance which counted to telling effect. While it was an awkward moment for Dwaine Gordon, who has been out of the Frazsiers set-up due to work commitments, as it was his indecisive pass at the back that was intercepted by the excellent Ewan Grandison, who ran straight into the area before laying off to Nelson, whose one-time strike back across and into the far corner gave Davis absolutely no chance.

On the restart Gordon's players were on the offensive in an effort to get back into game, and they almost did instantly, as Brown flashing header from Beckford's right-sided free-kick went inches wide, before his mystifying missed.

Captain Jamoy Sibbles made a brilliant run down the right side before firing a low hard cross that McPherson spilled into the path of the onrushing Brown, who kicked astonishingly wide.

It was the kind of opportunity that they would never get again, however substitute Codean Smikle got a boot just in time before McPherson and two defenders, but the ball trickled not more than two feet wide off target.

Then on the counter Nelson rifled left-footed shot kissed the crossbar before Brett's point-blanked effort was deflected for a corner.

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Nelson strike hands P'More KO crown