CLARENDON, Jamaica — Humble Lion FC muscled their way to a 2-1 win over Portmore United in yesterday’s Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) first-leg semi-final match at Effortville Community Centre.

Former Portmore player Ricardo Cousins scored to give Humble Lion a 59th-minute lead in rainy and gloomy conditions in May Pen.

Substitute Francois Swaby doubled the hosts’ advantage in the 71st minute.

Only four minutes later, Osani Ricketts popped up to pull a goal back for Portmore, who are set to host the return leg at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex in south St Andrew next Monday.

Geoffrey Hewitt, the head coach of Portmore, felt his team should have taken more from the encounter, but said they can bounce back in the second leg.

“It was a tough loss, because we expected something from the game, but we just have to continue to work hard. With 90 minutes [remaining in the two-legged tie] that [overturning the deficit] is something that we definitely can do,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

Humble Lion Technical Director Vassel Reynolds praised his side for staying compact against the high-flying visitors.

“Portmore is a very technical team, so we didn’t allow them any freedom on the ball, and we did that for the most part, especially in the crucial areas.

“I’m satisfied with the performance, though we would prefer a two-nil [advantage], but such is the nature of the game,” Reynolds told journalists after the game.

In a largely dull first half, both teams had trouble staying on their feet due to the soggy surface.

The players also had difficulties controlling the ball and measuring the pace on passes. But Humble Lion, who finished the preliminary phase of the RSPL in fourth, appeared the more settled team and pushed back the league-toppers and former champions Portmore United.

However, when the whistle was blown for the half-time break the teams were locked at 0-0.

All that both sets of players had to show were muddied and bruised frames, creating the image of a horde of warriors battling in rain-soaked trenches.

The second half brought more attractive football with Portmore initially flooding forward in attack.

But the visitors conceded against the run of play when one-time Portmore midfielder Cousins fired home a left-footer from the edge of the box. Goalkeeper Shaven-Sean Paul got a right hand to the ball, but it was not enough to push it around the post.

Humble Lion wrested control and started to stream forward in search of their second of the afternoon.

And they soon got it.

Portmore Captain Omar Daley misread the bounce of the ball, which was controlled by Swaby. The striker, who was only on the field for two minutes, set himself before powering a right-footer into the net.

In the 75th minute, Portmore were handed a lifeline when Humble Lion’s veteran ‘keeper Allien Whittaker mishandled a ball for Ricketts to pounce on the rebound and nod into the goal.

Humble Lion got a couple of chances to regain their two-goal lead, but those went a-begging.

Kevon Reid’s header from Wolry Wolfe’s corner kick clipped the top of the Portmore crossbar, and moments later Swaby’s stooping header from Fabian Pascoe’s cross went straight at goalkeeper Paul.

Teams:

Humble Lion — Allien Whittaker, Ricardo Cousins, Ricardo Campbell, Kirk Duckworth, Kevon Reid, Fabian Pascoe, Andrew Vanzie, Kadian Wynter (Hugh Howell 35th), Wolry Wolfe (Gregory Lewis 90+3), Leaughn Williams, Kemiel Wolfe (Francois Swaby 69th).

Subs not used: Kadeem Davis, Jermaine Christian, Dwayne Campbell, Kevaughn Isaacs

Booked: Howell (79th)

Portmore — Sean-Shaven Paul, Damono Solomon, Upston Edwards, Osani Ricketts, Kareem Manning, Ewan Grandison, Michael Binns, Omar Daley (Mark Alves 80th), Tramaine Stewart, Ricardo Morris, Jovan East (Maalique Foster 76th).

Subs not used: Eric Edwards, Ryan Wellington, Rodian Jennings, Kemo Gayle

Booked: Manning (5th), Stewart (15th), Binns (29th), Daley (38th)

Referee: Daneon Parchment

Assistant Referees: Keble Williams, Damian Williams

Fourth Official: Cardella Samuels

Match Commissary: Charles Barrett