DUNBEHOLDEN FC turned back St Catherine parish rivals Portmore United 2-1 in yesterday’s Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) match at Spanish Town Prison Oval.

Deanandre Thomas, with a 14th-minute penalty kick, and Saneekie Burton’s strike in the 42nd minute delivered all three points for Dunbeholden. They move to fifth place in the 12-team league table with 21 points.

National representative Cory Burke sparked ideas of a Portmore comeback when he struck 12 minutes into the second half. RSPL title-holders Portmore, enduring a topsy turvy 2019-20 campaign, stay ninth with 18 points.

In mostly sunny conditons yesterday at the venue, Thomas gave Dunbeholden the lead from the penalty spot after Portmore’s Roberto Johnson was penalised for a handball inside the 18-yard box.

Portmore enjoyed the greater share of possession for the remainder of the first half, but lacked the cutting edge to bother Dunbeholden.

The visiting team was content when not in possession, while working hard to nullify Portmore’s attacks from on, or about the half line.

And Burton extended Dunbeholden’s lead three minutes before half-time when he snuck in at the near post to deftly beat Portmore goalkeeper Kemar Foster from close range.

Portmore reclaimed a foot in the game in the 57th minute when a neat exchange of passes from Rondee Smith to second-half substitute Shai Smith led to Burke finding space to turn and hit home a left-footed effort from approximately 12 yards out.

Despite both teams creating half chances during the rest of the contest, no goal came, leaving Dunbeholden to take maximum points from their more illustrious opponents.

Teams:

Portmore — Kemar Foster, Ryan Wellington, Roberto Johnson, Osani Ricketts, Romaine Brackenridge, Andre Lewis (Romaine Bowers 76th), Siegle Knight, Lamar Walker, Rondee Smith (Courtney Allen 86th), Kareem Banton (Shai Smith 55th), Cory Burke

Subs not used: Shaven Paul, Sheldon McKoy, Damion Williams, Jehvante Hoquee

Booked: Ricketts (45+3), S Smith (65th), Brackenridge (90+5)

Dunbeholden — Giovanni Smith, Andre Dyce, Demario Phillips, Kemar Atkinson, Shevan James, Graeme Green, Nickoy Christian, Rodave Murray (Andre McFarlane 65th) Shaquille Dyer, Deanandre Thomas (Kemoy Carruthers 85th), Saneekie Burton (Shaquille Jones 90+3)

Subs not used: Eric Edwards, Anthony Thompson, Atapharoy Bygrave, Lorenzo Dubidad

Booked: Phillips (72nd)

Referee: Verdton Nembhard

Assistant referees: Keneil Wright, Tevin Wright

Fourth official: None

Match commissary: Garfield McDonald

Yesterday’s result

Portmore 1, Dunbeholden 2

Humble Lion 1, Molynes 0

Vere 0, UWI 0

— Sanjay Myers