TOLL GATE, Clarendon — Portmore United defeated Sporting Central Academy 2-1 yesterday at Juici Patties Park to record only their second victory of the Red Stripe Premier League season.

The St Catherine side were by far the better side on the outset and duly went ahead when Ashton Bennett ghosted in at the back post to tap in Stephen Williams’ shot-comecross on 35 minutes.

But just two minutes later, Sporting were on level terms again, with Francois Swaby beating goalkeeper Kemar Foster to a Cory Hylton cross with a firm header.

The visitors, however, continued to dominate proceedings and were rewarded with the winner 19 minutes from team when defender Rosario Harriott got by a few Sporting Central defenders to blast in a deflected effort.

Despite the win, Portmore remain at the bottom of the 12- team league on 10 points, but coach Calvin Lewis was pleased with the victory. Prior to this game, the former five-time champions had suffered six defeats, while recording four draws in their 11 first-round encounters.

“This will definitely help to boost the players’ confidence,” Lewis said. “I think we really dominated the game today and it was only a slight goalkeeping error that caused us to concede.

We will now try to win our next two games to close out the year with nine points.” Meanwhile, Sporting Central, who were losing for the first time in five games, remain in the lower half of the league table on 14 points — three above the relegation zone.

Their coach, Linval ‘Pala’ Wilson says they will “regroup” in an effort to end the calendar year on a high. “It was just an off day for us,” Wilson told the Jamaica Observer in his post-game interview. We just never played to form. That second goal, the deflection, really killed us. We will just have to come again on Thursday against Humble Lion.”

TEAMS:

Sporting Central Academy:

Sanchez Lloyd, Andre Morrison, Linval Lewis, Kemar Drake, Derron McLeod, Camaal Reid, Ricardo Thompson (Kadian Wynter 72nd), Richard Reid (Huggarth Nugent 76th), Francois Swaby, Cory Hylton, Gregory Lewis.

Subs not used: Gerald Eastwood, Dale Watson, Chris Mason, Dwayne Campbell, Jamoly Powell. Booked: Hylton (14th), Swaby (73rd)

Portmore United:

Kemar Foster, Upston Edwards, Rosario Harriott, Andre Vanzie, Damian Williams, Ewan Grandison, Kareem Manning, Stephen Williams (Cleon Pryce 80th), Suelae McCalla (Ricardo Morris 55th), Adoah Nickle (Trevol Smith 71st), Ashton Bennett.

Subs not used: Carlloyd Walters, Roberto Johnson, Mark Alves. Booked: Edwards (31st)

Referee: Kevin Morrison Assistants: Ricardo Morgan, Fourth Official: Gawane Scott Match Commissary: Garfield McDonald