Lennon High, with a brace from Kwesi Watts, clipped hosts Port Antonio High to gain a valuable first-leg edge in the second round of the ISSA/FLOW daCosta Cup game at Lynch Park on Saturday.

Watts scored from the penalty spot in the fourth minute and added another in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Substitute Alex Duncan had replied with a 66th-minute strike for Port Antonio.

The game started in a slight drizzle, with Lennon carrying the attack to their opponents.

Port Antonio defender Lenroy Anderson soon committed an infringement inside his own penalty area and referee Gawayne Scott pointed to the spot.

Watts calmly spotted the ball and kicked his effort past goalkeeper Thomas Williams.

Both teams settled down, with the visitors continuing to launch a number of attacks through Deno Bryan, Watts, Leonard Jibbison and Javona Tyndale. The Port Antonio defence was kept active, especially Dale Boucher and Lenroy Anderson.

Port Antonio countered at times through Andrew Layne, Dwayne Hylton, Zedon Cataroo and Adrian Green, but were not able to penetrate the Lennon defensive set-up, and the latter entered the break with a one-goal lead.

Port Antonio got the equaliser from a good build-up in the second half as Boucher sprang a counter-attack that led to Andrew Layne sending a square for Duncan to fire past custodian Tyrone Mullings.

Port Antonio were given added impetus when Lennon were reduced to 10 men in the 82nd minute. Jibbison was forced to an early shower after the player was cautioned twice inside three minutes by referee Scott.

Port Antonio tried to push home the advantage and were caught on the counter in added time when Jason Johnson made a long pass up to Watts. The attacker beat defender Okeito James and scored past the advancing Williams to seal the away win.

— Everard Owen