Portmore striker Roen Nelson shields the ball from a Boys' Town defender during their National Premier League game at Collie Smith Drive yesterday. Boys' Town won, 2-1. (Photo: Bryan Cummings)

A goal two minutes from time by substitute Rollin Francis carried Boys' Town to a 2-1 win over defending Wray & Nephew National Premier League champions Portmore United at Collie Smith Drive yesterday in front of a bumper crowd.

The win all but ended any hopes Portmore may have harboured of catching up with runaway leaders Harbour View.

So damaging was the defeat that coach Paul Young conceded the title. "It's very difficult to catch Harbour View... in my view they have won the championship, we just have to play for second place now and that will enable to us to compete in the Caribbean Club Championships next year," he said.

Boys' Town and Portmore United tussle during their NPL game at Collie Smith Drive yesterday. Boys' Town won, 2-1. (Photo: Bryan Cummings)

The game started off at even pace with both teams looking cautious. Portmore, however, benefited from a denfensive error in the third minute when an opposing player, in trying to clear a ball, played it in the path of Roen Nelson, who hesitated in the box and was robbed.

Boys' Town soon settled and with the backing of the home crowd, took the challenge to their opponents, forcing the Portmore defenders to work over time.

One of the the many forays into the defending champions territory almost paid off in 20th minute. Fabian Watkins, who had a good game, dispossessd Omar Daley in midfield and played a delightful pass to Michael Campbell, but with Jacomena Barrett at his mercy, he shot high from inside the box.

Two minutes later, Barrett was again called into action, having to leave his line to prevent George Vernal from getting off a shot at goal. Vernal twisted his knee in the process and had to be replaced by Francis.

Portmore should have taken the lead in the 36th minute after Daley, who switched sides with Rafe Wolfe, played a neat pass to Chris Dawes, whose one-time touch found an unmarked Wolfe on the right flank.

Wolfe dribbled a few paces before cracking a powerouse at goal, with the ball rebounding off the Boys' Town custodian Philmore Crumbie into the path of Kevin Deerr, who unbelievably kicked high from four yards.

With 43 minutes gone in the game, Barrett gave a belated Christmas gift to Campbell - after letting the ball slip from his hands - for the speedy striker to regain his composure and slot home.

The cheers had hardly died down when Portmore were awraded a free kick on the edge of the penalty area. A very neat set play resulted in Omar Daley crashing a powerful shot into the back of the net to end the half on level terms.

Desperate for a win, Portmore introduced the towering Onadi Lowe for Nelson at the start of the second half, but Lowe was nullified by the hardworking Oneil Thompson.

Lowe came close from a free kick just outside the area in the 85th minute, but his curler went wide by centimetres.
Two minutes later, Boys' Town won a free kick deep in the Portmore half. Just before the kick was taken, the game was held up for three minutes after assistant referee Mark Sullivan complained of being hit by a missile thrown from inside the stands. The offender was promtly indentified and chased out of the ground.

That incident seem to have given, Fabian Watkins and Francis enough time, to plan a strategy while the Portmore players were busy watching the happenings in the stands. As soon as the referee gave the go-ahead for the kick, Francis ran to the near post and met Wakins' cross with a deft header which gave Barrett no chance and sealed a second successive home win for his team.

Winning coach Andrew Pryce praised his team for playing to the game plan and displaying the true Boys' Town fighting spirit.

"We told the players we needed all three points when playing at home. When you play at home you must use your advantage and we did that today," he said.

Boys' Town - Philmore Crumbie, Fabian Watkins, Xavean Virgo, Wavel Williams, Jermaine Bailey, Marvin Morgan, Oneil Thompson, Garfield Gillespie, Andre Wheeler, George Vernal, Michael Campbell ( Rollin Francis 23rd), (Peter Keys 50th). Subs not used: Kirk Porter, Richard Brown, Colin Oldham, Jerome Taylor, Dwight Lewis.

Portmore United - Jacomena Barrett, Anthony Modeste,Adrian Mitchell, Ryan Powell, Adrain Reid, Christopher Dawes, Jason Morrison, Omar Daley (Onandi Lowe 45th) Rafe Wolfe, Reon Nelson, ( Carlington Smith 63rd ), Kevin Deerr. Subs not used: Gariece McBean, Anthony Bennett, Kemeal Wolfe, Garth Bootha.

Referee: Dave Peterkin

Assistants: Garnette Page& Mark Sullivan

Fourth Official: Peter Davis

Match Commissary: Charlie Barrett

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