FORMER National Premier League kingpins Portmore United made a swift return to the top flight after defeating Savannah SC 4-1 in the Jamaica Football Federation All-Island Confederation Play-offs at the Frome Sports Complex in Westmoreland on Wednesday.

Following some token resistance from their hosts in the first session, the Portmore United scoring machine moved into action in the second half as Rodian Jennings and Suelae McCalla made double strikes to put the match outside the reach of Savannah FC 4-1.

Following their three wins and a draw from four matches, Portmore have 10 points, and with only two games remaining in the qualifying series, promotion to the top league is assured.

UWI, with whom Portmore drew in their second game, will be their next hurdle on Wednesday at the Spanish Town Prison Oval. Portmore will then round off their qualifying matches against York the following Sunday at the same venue.

In the other key game on Wednesday, KSAFA Super League qualifiers, UWI, also kept their hopes of taking the other qualifying spot with a determined 1-0 win over York FC of St Thomas at the UWI Bowl.

The narrow win was enough to move UWI to seven points from their four games, and they now need only a point from their remaining two games to play in the country’s top tier for the first time.

At the UWI Bowl, UWI moved swiftly to get their winning thrust going. And from the opening whistle, the KSAFA representatives, who were beaten by York 3-0 in their opening game, immediately sought to put the visitors under pressure with darting runs in the visitors’ goal area.

The industry paid off and Mitch Wright struck in the third minute when he ran through unattended to beat goalkeeper Romaine Bowers from close range.

UWI could have scored a second goal after earning a penalty, but Wright misfired from the spot and gave up the chance of grabbing his second of the match.