Reigning champions Portmore United got their protracted potential three-peat in the Jamaica Premier League off to a good start when they blanked Dunbeholden FC 2-0 in the lone game at the UWI-JFF Captain Horace Burrell Centre of Excellence yesterday.

Goals from Captain Ricardo Morris and Emilio Rousseau either side of the half-time break ensured that the champions got the better of their opponents in the St Catherine derby.

The game, which began at the unusual time of 11:00 am, got off to a slow start with both teams feeling each other out for the most part. The first chance of the match fell to Kimoni Bailey of Dunbeholden whose shot went wide from an acute angle inside the box.

An Omar Reid cross from the left side was punched away from danger by Damion Hyatt in the Dunbeholden goal in a rare effort on target from Portmore United in the early stages.

There were very few opportunities being created in the game for the first half-hour, but the breakthrough finally came in the 34th minute.

After being fouled about 30 yards from goal, Morris picked himself up and took the free kick himself. The ball deflected wickedly off the Dunbeholden captain, Shaquille Dyer, and looped into the goal with Hyatt rooted to the spot and watching helplessly as it went into the goal.

Dunbeholden tried their best to get back in the game, but despite enjoying a lot of possession, they never really put enough pressure on the Portmore United goal.

Substitute Johann Weatherly did come close however, when his drive brought out a fingertip save from an alert Kemar Foster to maintain his team’s slim advantage.

Almost out of nothing, Rousseau made the game safe for the champions in the 75th minute when he let loose a thunderbolt after receiving a pass from a free kick from about 40 yards, which caught out Hyatt who probably should have done better at keeping the ball out.

After the second goal went in, it was just about game management by Portmore United to secure all three points.

Portmore United Head Coach Ricardo Gardner was happy with the start, but insists that there is room for improvement.

“We wanted to function how we do in training. We saw a lot of that today, but there are bits and pieces that we can improve, must improve on going forward.”

He is planning to build on the opening day success of a season expected to last just three months.

“It’s great to get three points from our first game under very tough conditions for the players…we just have to build on this.”

Dunbeholden coach Ricardo Smith said that the coaching staff took full responsibility for the result yesterday.

“It wasn’t the best performance today. We could have done better. We see where we as coaches went wrong and we just have to go back to the drawing board and come again.

“Tactically, we got it wrong. We are not blaming the players, but tactically, that’s the main factor today.”

The competition continues today at 1:00 pm with Vere United opposing Molynes United and Waterhouse facing Harbour View at 3:00 pm at the same venue.

Teams: Portmore United FC — Kemar Foster, Damano Solomon, Emelio Rousseau, Alvinus Myers, Seigle Knight, Jevoun Bascoe, Demario Phillips, Omar Reid (Rivaldo Mitchell 74th), Ricardo Morris, Jevick McFarlane (Zain Hylton 90th+1), Raffique Bryan (Tajay Brown 67th)

Subs not used: Eric Edwards, Noel Walker, Antonio Biggs, Stephen Young

Booked: Rousseau (33rd), McFarlane (65th), Phillips (71st), Bascoe (89th)

Dunbeholden FC — Damion Hyatt, Shaquille Dyer, Andre Dyce, Mark Miller, Kemoy Atkinson (Nickoy Christian 59th), Shakeen Powell, Saneekie Burton, Jevaughn Cole (Shevan James 70th), Rodave Murray (Johann Weatherly 54th), Kimoni Bailey, Rondee Smith (Atapharoy Bygrave 70th)

Subs not used: William Benjamin, Maurice Mais, Deandre Johnson

Referee: Veralton Nembhard

Assistant Referees: Richard Washington, Gavin Carvalho

Fourth Official: Damion Coombs

Match Commissioner: Martin Lyn