TUCKER, St James — Despite being “disappointed” with his team’s first-half performance which he put down to a “mental block”, Montego Bay United (MBU) Head Coach Donovan Duckie says the team has a lot to be thankful for after Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Portmore United at Wespow Park as the second round of the Jamaica Premier League got underway.

For the second time in the competition, MBU came from a goal down to earn a draw against their mid-table opposition. And, according to Duckie, given this was basically the same team that finished at the foot of the tables last season, “we have a lot to give thanks for and we are still competitive”.

Alex Marshall gave Portmore United the lead in the 22nd minute when he was allowed time just outside the 18-yard box and curled a brilliant left-footer into the top right-hand corner of the goal, giving MBU’s goalkeeper Davonnie Burton no chance.

The home team hit back early in the second half when Johann Weatherly’s corner kick flew past Benjamin Williams in the Portmore United goal, came off the underside of the crossbar, and into the goal.

With Weatherly pulling the strings on the left flank, MBU controlled the game for long periods in the second half but failed to get the winner.

Duckie said at the half-time break they addressed the lack of confidence in his team.

“During half-time all we spoke about was the mental block, and we played without pressure in the second half…we had some chances to score [but] the finishing [was] poor,” he said.

Portmore United Coach Phillip Williams was unhappy with his team’s showing in the second half.

“We did well in the first half but I don’t think we did as well as we should in the second half. We lost our shape and purpose…the way the goal was scored on us broke the team mentally,” he lamented.

Just six players who started for Portmore United in their first game against MBU also started on Sunday, and they were on the front foot early as they pushed the home team back into their own defensive third.

Portmore could have gone ahead as early as the 14th minute, but a shot form the edge of the penalty area came back off the crossbar.

Marshall was pinpoint accurate when he took his time to set up the shot and left Burton flatfooted on his line.

Four minutes into the second half, Weatherly pulled MBU level when his corner kick eluded everyone — including the Portmore United players — and ended in the goal.

The goal gave MBU added confidence but, despite keeping Portmore pinned down in their own area for long periods, failed to secure the winner.

Teams

Montego Bay United — Davonnie Burton, Nevaun Turner, Bryan Mankumbani, Deverow McKenzie, Tavin Shaw, Renaldo Wellington, Johann Weatherly (Allan Ottey-77th), Donovan Brown (Marlando Maxwell-63rd), Leonardo Fogarty (Ajani Clarke-54th), Ahmal Nugent-Hudson (Courtney Allen-63rd), Shavon McDonald (Nazime Matallie-Grant-54th)

Subs not used: Keon Pusey, Kevaughn Perry, Vialey Matalola, Renaldo Wellington

Booked: Brown (19th), Burton (90+4)

Portmore United — Benjamin Williams, Rodolph Austin, Stephen Young, Emelio Rousseau, Gawain Austin, Seigle Knight, Alvinus Myers, Chevaughan Walsh, Rushaun Thompson, Alex Marshall, Shakeon Satchwell

Subs not used: Daveigh Payton, Joel Jones, Jahvon James, Jahein Rose, Thyeim Shaw

Booked: None

Referee: Derron Tummings

Assistants: Melvin Reid, Princess Brown

Fourth official: Damion Coombs

Match commissary: Gavin McNeil

— Paul A Reid