JUST three minutes after entering the field, Patrick Brown netted the winner as the University of the West Indies (UWI) edged Portmore United 2-1 in the first-leg of their Red Stripe Premier League semi-final match at the Wembley Centre of Excellence in Clarendon yesterday.

Coach Marcel Gayle brought on Brown for Ramoun Reid in the 66th minute, and with his second touch of the game rammed home a torrid low left-footer from just outside the box.Earlier, Ricardo Morris had given home team Portmore United the ideal start, firing home in the fifth minute from just inside box.But UWI responded courtesy of none other than Girvon Brown, who headed home a Ramoun Reid cross in the 23rd minute.But just before Girvon Brown scored, Portmore should have been down to 10 men after Osani Rickett blantantly struck Jamie Robinson in his face with his hand. He made no attempt to play the ball.Fortunately, referee Odette Hamilton gave him a yellow card, much to the annoyance of the UWI faithful.UWI should have netted im the 35th minute, but Davion Garrison kicked high from six yards after Girvon Brown beat the offside trap and picked him out.Four minutes later, Portmore also missed a sitter as Jovan East headed over from close range after being picked out by the educated left foot of Michael Binns in the 39th minute.The half ended 1-1, but on the resumption, Portmore should have taken the lead when, firstly, Ewan Grandison, turned the last defender inside out and, instead of shooting, he passed to Maalique Foster inside the six-yard box, who then passed to Morris who dragged his shot wide.Portmore came close on a few occasions, but failed to capitalise and will have their work cut out next week in the return leg.They also would have been peeved by having at least two good shouts for penalty turned down by referee Hamilton.Winning coach Gayle was satisfied with victory, but knows the work is far from over.“All credit to the boys [as] it was a very good effor. We went behind early, got back a goal, and we just changed the luck from there,” said Gayle.“But we still have work to do [as] we are at about 60 to 70 per cent and mentally we trying to get back there, “ he pointed out.Meanwhile, a sombre-looking Linval Dixon, the head coach of Portmore United, said his players have no one to blame but themselves.“One of the things we worked on in training is that when we score, [we should try] not to give up a goal, and today we gave up another goal and it haunts us by losing the game 2-1,” Dixon explained.“We still have the second leg to play, but at the end of the day that’s how football goes. They capitalised on their opportunities; we just have to get ourselves ready for the second leg,” he added.The return leg is set for next Sunday at the UWI Bowl. Portmore United — Shaven-Sean Paul, Damano Solomon, Ryan Wellington, Henrico Ricketts, Osani Ricketts, Ewan Grandison, Michael Binns, SueLae McCalla (Stephen Williams 67th), Ricardo Morris, Cleon Pryce (Maalique Foster 60th), Javon East( Kemo Gayle 89th).Subs not used: Kemar Foster, Andre Dyce, Damion Binns, Shaun-Dee Watt.Booked: Osani Ricketts 19th, Kemo Gayle 88th.UWI — Amal Knight, Rochane Smith, Taniel McKenzie, Allando Brown, Ramoun Reid (Patrick Brown 66th), Deno Schaffe, Davion Garrison (Andrae Bernal 90+1), Jerondy Henry, Girvon Brown(Anthony Greenland 83rd), Kaemmar Daley, Jamie Robinson.Subs not used: Nicholas King, Deighton Stuart, Jhaiovanne Howard, Kemoy Atkinson.Booked: NoneReferee: Odette HamiltonAssistant Referees: Stephanie Dale Yeesing. Princess BrownFourth Official: Cardella SamuelsMatch Commissary: James Pearson