Howard Walker, Staff Reporter
CONSTANT SPRING played with one man extra for well more than one hour and Portmore missed a penalty with one minute remaining as they both battled to a 0-0 draw in yesterday's Wray and Nephew National Premier League (NPL) game at Constant Spring.
Portmore, with a mathematical chance of overhauling the leaders Waterhouse, and Constant Spring, with hopes of avoiding relegation, all but blew those chances.
RED CARDED
Portmore's Garth Bootha was red carded in the 18th minute for violent conduct as the St. Catherine-based outfit started an under-strength team.
Kevin Deerr, Wolry Wolfe, Omar Daley, Jason Morrison, Adrian Reid and Anthony Bennett were either on the bench or in plain clothes.
But they got the best chance to win the game when substitute Bennett's penalty kick was well saved by goalkeeper Kirk Williams in the 89th minute.
The defending champions now have 46 points, 13 behind Waterhouse, but with a game in hand.
Constant Spring's chances of survival looked bleak after failing to capitalise on a one-man advantage for 72 minutes.
Not even the return of the mercurial Walter Boyd can save Constant Spring from playing in the Super League next season.
The hard-working Oneil Morrison missed the best chance for the home team after being played through by Jermaine Richards, but somehow missed the ball as goalkeeper Shawn Sawyer charged from his line.
RELEGATION
The Danny Lyn-coached team has 24 points and is six points behind Wadadah and Reno and should safely join Rivoli as the relegated teams.
Constant Spring, last relegated in 1999, have four difficult games remaining in Waterhouse, Harbour View, Arnett Gardens and Boys' Town.
Lyn said although his team had an extra man, it failed to move the ball around and use its advantage.
"I thought we should have had a penalty early in the game, but that is neither here not there. But in the dying moments, Morrison could have put away the game," said Lyn.
"I guess they are not up to the game anymore. Maybe waiting for the season to finish," he said of his team.
Paul Young, coach of Portmore, said he was disappointed with the result.
"I am very disappointed, but that's how the game goes. The field wasn't conducive for good football but we got the chance to win the game but just didn't score the penalty," Young said.
GOALSHEET
Constant Spring 0
Portmore United 0
