Ryan Powell (left) of Portmore United and a teammate clears a ball during their match with Rivoli United in the Red Stripe Light Beach Futbol competition at Hellshire Beach Club yesterday. Portmore won 5-2. - Andrew Smith/Photography Editor
Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter
Portmore United and Star Cosmos both kicked off their Red Stripe Light Beach Futbol second round campaigns in impressive fashion, winning all their games at the Hellshire Beach Club yesterday.
In Zone One action, Portmore defeated both St. Georges and Rivoli, topping the zone, while Star Cosmos did the same when they got by Wray and Nephew Premier League runners-up Harbour View and western powerhouse Wadadah.
Portmore United got things started when they registered a 5-2 win over Rivoli. However, they were given an early advantage when they were awarded two penalty points due to Rivoli's late arrival.
Fired home in the first minute
Sheldon Palmer then rubbed more salt into Rivoli's wounds when he fired home in the first minute of play. Luke Soares pulled a goal back for Rivoli six minutes later and Derrick Planter gave them hope with another in the 16th minute, but Palmer would strike again in the 18th minute and Ricardo Cousins in the 31st to ensure victory for the former Premier League champions.
Palmer continued to be a terror on the sands, slamming five goals in his team's next encounter, a 6-4 whipping of St. Georges. Palmer hit the net in the 4th, 16th, 18th, 20th and 29th minutes while Ricardo Cousins scored the other for Portmore in the 57th. Marlon Dyer and David Taylor had two each in response for St Georges.
The crafty Star Cosmos struggled before eventually beating a resilient Harbour View 1-0. After remaining scoreless in regular and extra time, Adrian Henry found the back of the net in a sudden death penalty shoot-out. Against Wadadah they were a bit more impressive as they came from a goal down to win 6-3. In the day's other games Wadadah beat Harbour View 4-3 and Rivoli triumphed over St. Georges with an identical score line. The competition continues next week.
