Second-half substitute Dwayne Smith struck late in the 89th minute to carry UWI FC to the top of the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) standing with a 1-0 win over former leaders Portmore United at the Spanish Town Prison Oval yesterday.

UWI FC have played a game more than Portmore United and are now on 14 points from seven games, while Portmore remain second on 13 points from six games. The goal was scrappy, to say the least, but it only goes to show that enterprise brings its own luck.

Despite the improved playing surface at the venue the game never rose beyond the ordinary though UWI showed greater enterprise against a Portmore United team that looked the opposite with a lacklustre approach which gave UWI enough room to create several goalscoring chances. Portmore United created scoring opportunities but just could not find the legs and often got into a tangle with their teammates when chances developed. And for this the UWI profited.

“Portmore looked a little flat today and we took advantage of that condition by being more assertive by getting behind their defence to create chances and though it was not a pretty goal, we played with goalscoring intention and it paid off,” coach Andrew Peart said.

His counterpart Shavar Thomas was pleased with his team’s performance, but promised to make amends against Reno.

“We started out very slow today. Very lethargic at the back. Some parts of the midfield did not turn up and UWI just had a spirited performance,” he said.

Teams: Portmore United FC — Kemar Foster, Domano Solomon, Andre Dyce, Roberto Johnson, Herico Ricketts, Ewan Grandison, Chevany Willis, Stephen Williams (Maalique Foster 61st), Jermie Lynch (Jevan East 61st), Ricardo Morris, Rondee Smith (Sadikee Burton 71st)

Subs not used: Eric Edwards, Richard Coates, Osani Ricketts, Kemar Phillpotts

Booked: Willis (54th)

UWI FC — Nicholas King, Taniel McKenzie, Deno Schaffe, Ryan Miller, Oshane Jenkins, Dravian Williams, Girvan Brown, (Anthony Greenland 80th), Fabion McCarthy, Jamie Robinson (Rochane Smith 66th), Kemar Flemmings, Stephen Barnett (Dwayne Smith 72nd)

Subs not used: Jerondy Henry, Jabari Wallace, Kemoy Atkinson, Deighton Stuart

Booked: Dwayne Smith (74th), Rochane Smith (76th), Flemmings (85th), Miller (87th)

Referee: Oshane Nation

Assistant referees: Damian Williams, Jermaine Yee Sing

Fourth official: Okeeto Nichalson

Match commissioner: Garfield McDonald

— Hurbun Williams