Champions Portmore United provisionally assumed pole position in the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) after clipping Mount Pleasant FA 1-0 in a drama-filled contest on match day 20 at Spanish Town Prison Oval yesterday.

Captain Ricardo Morris found the all-important goal in the 39th minute, which saw Portmore United turning the tables on their St Ann-based opponents following a 1-2 loss in their previous meeting at the top of the 2018/19 season.

The win pushed the Shavar Thomas-coached Portmore United to 36 points, two ahead of Waterhouse FC (34 points), who are scheduled to meet third-placed Cavalier FC (31 points) in the first Monday Night fixture of the year today.

Meanwhile, a 70th-minute strike by Akeem Thenstead propelled University of the West Indies (UWI) FC to a 1-0 win over Dunbeholden FC at the neighbouring Royal Lakes Complex in St Catherine. The win saw UWI provisionally back into the top six on 27 points, while Dunbeholden remain rooted at the foot of the 12-team standing on 13 points.

In the day’s other early fixture, Humble Lion FC clinched a 2-1 win over Montego Bay United in their contest at Effortville Community Centre in Clarendon. Despite the win, Humble Lion remain in eighth position on 24 points, with Montego Bay United, who were suffering a fourth-consecutive defeat, remaining in 11th position on 16 points.

At Prison Oval, both Portmore United and Mount Pleasant FA were seeking to start the year on a high after suffering defeats ahead of the Yuletide break, and that laid the platform for a nail-biting clash.

After a slow and tentative start by both teams, the tempo of the game increased with Portmore United gradually gaining the ascendancy, as they fired a number of warning shots which kept Mount Pleasant’s custodian, Kadeem Davis, active.

In the 22nd minute, Morris lined up a firm left-footed shot from the top of the arc, which forced Davis to get down quickly to his right to parry.

Davis was again called upon to block another low but firm effort from a distance, this time by Venton Evans, as well as to thwart an effort from Javon East, who charged in on the rebound.

Portmore United eventually broke the seal when Mount Pleasant failed to clear their lines from a corner and the loose ball dropped kindly for Morris, who released a peach of a left-footed volley that gave Davis no chance.

At the other end, goalkeeper Shaven Paul, who has now regained his spot in the starting line-up, proved equal to a powerful shot from a distance by Evan Taylor to ensure the score remained unchanged at the break.

Mount Pleasant came to life on the resumption with the introduction of Kemar Beckford and Romario Campbell as they applied consistent pressure in the hunt for the equaliser. However, it was in the latter stages of the contest that things really heated up.

Portmore United were awarded an 82nd-minute penalty after substitute Donnegy Fer was impeded while on his way to goal, but Rondee Smith failed to convert from the 12-yard spot, hitting over the crossbar.

Six minutes later, East went on the break and got in behind defenders but his left-footed effort failed to beat Davis’s gloves.

Mount Pleasant thought they were back on level terms when Beckford fired home into the net left vacant by Paul, who unwisely left his line in a melee, but it was quickly ruled offside.

With Mount Pleasant still disputing the call, Portmore United used the opportunity to try and sneak in another goal, but Fer’s one-time effort was blocked by Davis at his near post in time added.

Teams: Portmore United — Shaven Paul, Osani Ricketts, Roshane Sharpe (Donnegy Fer 67th), Cleon Pryce, Chevany Willis, Rosario Harriott, Rondee Smith, Ricardo Morris (Carlos Barrett 70th), Venton Evan s(Damano Solomon 83rd), Javon East, Roberto Johnson

Subs not used: Benjamin Williams, Damian Williams, Hardley Barnes, Saneekie Burton

Booked: East (90th+3)

Mount Pleasant FA — Kadeem Davis, Suelae McCalla, Liston James, Ricardo Campbell, Kevin Graham (Kemar Beckford 51st), Evan Taylor, Ronaldo Rodney (Kevaughn Isaacs 80th), Alphanso Brown, Cordel Benbow, Daniel Green, Devon Hodges (Romario Campbell 51st)

Subs not used: Babiander Evans, Ladale Richie, Dwayne Campbell, Gregory Lewis

Booked: none

Referee: Cardella Samuels

Assistant referees: Princess Brown, Jassett Kerr

Fourth official: Doyen Tummings

Match Commissary: Garfield McDonald