







MONTEGO BAY, St James — Montego Bay United won their second national football title in three years after edging Portmore United 2-1 in yesterday’s final at the Montego Bay Sports Complex in Catherine Hall.







It was a tight Red Stripe Premier League championship match that only truly came to life in the second half.





The consistent Montego Bay, who won the Premier League crown in the 2013-14 season before losing in the final last May, got their goals from Jermaine Woozencroft, who scored in the 62nd minute, and substitute Dino Williams (80th) in rainy conditions at the venue.





In between those strikes, Michael Binns had pulled Portmore level with a thunderous left-footed shot.





Earlier, in what was widely believed to be an act of protest, Montego Bay turned up less than 20 minutes before the scheduled 4:00 pm kick-off as approximately 8,000 spectators filled the complex. The Montego Bay management had publicly made known their objection to having the game start at that time instead of at a later hour.





The game eventually began about 4:15 pm, and it is understood that the organisers will review the circumstances and decide on possible sanctions.

The delayed start probably negatively affected both teams, as spectators witnessed a dour first half. Some would have expected both teams — blessed with fleet-footed players — to make best use of the wet and greasy surface, but it was not to be. Neither goalkeeper was forced to make a save as the shots went high and wide. What was lacking by way of quality football was almost made up for in fighting spirit. At times both teams got carried away, as the tackles came in hard.





The second half provided a much more attractive game of football.





Montego Bay swept into the lead after a goalkeeping error from Portmore’s Shaven-Sean Paul. The Portmore goalkeeper could not hold on to a long ball that was played over the top for the speedy Allan Ottey, and while sprawled on the deck could only watch helplessly as Woozencroft was on hand to tap home into the empty goal.





Conceding the goal brought urgency from Portmore.





Central midfielder Binns soon pulled them level. He picked up a partial clearance and blasted a left-footer from approximately 30 yards into the top right-hand corner of Jacomeno Barrett’s goal. The big ‘keeper had thrown his giant frame toward the ball, but he was beaten by sheer pace and power.





That goal boosted Portmore and their spattering of fans inside the venue found their voices.





But when the game appeared to be heading into extra time, Williams who came on as a 69th-minute substitute stepped up to split the tie. And it was under fortuitous circumstances for the striker, who has been struggling with injury this season.





His unsuccessful attempted flick saw the ball settling close to him at the top of the 18-yard box, and Williams, who starred with a treble in the final two seasons ago, turned and nonchalantly fired a low shot past Paul.





At the end, hundreds of fans ignored the public announcer’s request to remain in the stands and stormed the field to celebrate with the Montego Bay players and team officials, and to get a closer view of the post-match on-field presentations.



