LEADERS Portmore United left the Effortville Community Centre relieved to have earned a point, but home team Humble Lion are seething after giving up a lead in a 1-1 tie in their Red Stripe Premier League game yesterday.

Omando McLoud had given the home team the lead in the 13th minute, highlighting a half that clearly belonged to his team.

Though Portmore got their equalising goal against the run of play in the 45th minute courtesy of a superb Tramaine Stewart freekick, it is the second stanza that saw them come to bloom in a contest that largely lacked the eye-catching football that the teams are known for.

In other games at press time yesterday, Highgate United blanked Harbour View 3-0 and Waterhouse edged Reno 1-0 at Frome.

Humble Lion coach Lenny Hyde Snr could not conceal his disappointment after his team gave up the lead against the league's pacesetters.

“Yes, I am disappointed cause when you play at home you want to win every game, especially against the leaders when you have a chance to cut the deficit,” he said at game's end.

“We did not play in the second half, but hopefully with some experience they (the players) will do better next time as you could see that panic set in (the latter stages),” said Hyde, a former Jamaica standout.

Portmore's Calvin Lewis was in a more gracious mood as the point keeps his side on the summit with 45 points.

“This points means a lot to us... I am pleased as the young players showed character and courage. When you look at an Alvas Powell and the way he played in the midfield, it's just magnificent," he said.

Humble Lion entered yesterday's match-up in fifth place on 34 points, and could keep that position with the additional point, but will depend on other results from across the league.

The hosts should take comfort in their 45 minutes of enterprising football where they forced Portmore on the backfoot for the most part.

In one of their threatening moves in minute 28, Humble Lion's Ricardo Campbell delighted the crowd when he executed the usually difficult shot using the outside of the boot, but he got too much curl on the effort and the ball flew marginally wide.

McLoud, clearly not satisfied with one goal, came dangerously close of adding another when he hoodwinked his markers, then shooting on the turn with a low drive that slammed into the side netting.

But against the Lion's offensive momentum, the patient and more meticulous Portmore restored parity when Stewart's dipping 20-yard freekick deceived Damion Crooks in goal.

While the passing game was constructive on both halves of the field in the second half, neither team exhibited the killer's touch in the final third for a possible win.

Lenny Hyde Jnr, a second half sub and the son of the Humble Lion coach, got a glorious opportunity to repay his father's confidence, but kicked high from an unmonitored area of the Portmore penalty box.

Teams:

Humble Lion — Damion Crooks, Adrian Mitchell, Kirk Duckworth, Ricardo Campbell, Mark Miller (Oneke Ford 70th), Tyrone Sawyers, Omar Walters, Jermaine Christian, Omando McLoud, Gregory Morgan (Lenworth Hyde Jnr 70th), Carlington Smith. (Kevin Lamey 80th) Subs not used: Philmore Crumbie, Damian Barrett, Ajuran Brown, Michael Bygen Booked: Miller (45th)

Portmore United — Garice McPherson, Adrian Reid, Ricardo Harriott, Damion Binns, Alvas Powell (Nickoy Christian 72nd), John-Ross Doyley (Trevol Smith 64th), Ricardo Morris, Tramaine Stewart, Carlos Barrett, Neco Brett (Bryan Bayliss 60th) Subs not used: Shaven-Sean Paul, Akiem Coley, Andrew Christie, Stephen Williams Booked: Reid (15th), Harriott (38th)

Referee: Kevin Morrison

Assistant Referees: Garnet Page, Lloyd Reader

Fourth Official: Karl Tyrell

Match Commissary: Dalton Wint

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