Portmore United coach Neville ‘Bertis’ Bell lamented his team’s profligacy in front of goal even as they crawled to a rare Digicel Premier League (DPL) win which came against St Catherine rivals and relegation-threatened Rivoli United at the Ferdie Neita Sports Complex on Sunday.

Not only was the win uncommon in a wretched run for the former champions, but it came from a former strike ace, Roen Nelson, who has found goals a scarce commodity in recent times for a club he once whacked in 30 goals in a season.

“Every game, that (goalscoring) has been the problem since I came here, and to be honest, it is still a problem. We have quality players, quality forwards, but I don’t think they score enough,” Bell mourned.

Nelson’s got the all-important goal in the 43rd minute after he collected a left-sided cross from Ryan Powell and the stocky striker dared not make a mistake and he made the chance count.

In seventh spot, the three crucial points moved them to 46 and they can now breathe easy as their relegation worries have been put to rest.

“My Plan A was to either be in the top six or Plan B in the Premier League next season, so I’m very happy that we can relax… we should have done this (move away from relegation) a long time ago,” he stated.

But Rivoli, in 10th place in the 12-team tournament, are dangling precariously at the edge of the drop with 42 points and must win in next Sunday’s final game of the season to preserve their DPL life.

Rivoli’s Milford Thomas, too, bemoaned his team’s lack of offensive sharpness. “I think we had a good game, good football was played, it’s just that Portmore took their chances and we didn’t take ours… if you don’t score, you’re going to lose,” he said.

Other teams facing relegation are Humble Lion, Arnett Gardens and Sporting Central Academy. August Town have already been entombed to KSAFA Super League football next season after their elimination was formalised with a 0-3 defeat to Sporting Central Academy on Sunday.

Teams:

Portmore United — Dwayne Kerr, Anthony Modeste, Rickardo Harriott, Tyrone Sawyers, Ryan Powell, Michael Binns (Shauntel Mundle 80th), Mario Harrison, Steven Morrissey (Ricardo Cousins 66th), Mario Swaby, Carlinton Smith (Craig Gayle 63rd), Roen Nelson, Trevol Smith, Garice McPherson.

Subs not used: Tramaine Stewart, Bryan Bayliss

Booked: Binns (55th)

Rivoli United — Leon Goffe, Colbert Coke (Bryan Baylis 59th), Martin King (Ricardo Knight 81st), Luke Soares (Mark Newsom 68th), Christopher Hayles, Fabian Gordon, Omar Parker, Devon Powell, Barrington Planter, Kirk Ramsay, Devon Hodges.

Subs not used: Marlon Henry, Brandon Bennett, Derick Planter, Owen Barker

Booked: Powell (7th), Planter (36th)

Referee: Kevin Thomas

Assistants: Keble Williams, Malachi Brown

Fourth Official: Carvel Banton

Match Commissary: Uken Campbell