Ainsley Walters, Gleaner Writer

Meadhaven United defender Roger Rodney (left) dribbles the ball away from Reno's Gary McIntosh, who falls to the ground, during Sunday's Digicel Premier League match at Constant Spring football field. McIntosh scored, but Reno lost 2-1. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

MEADHAVEN coach Alrick Clarke is hoping his promoted side improves on defence for the second round of the Digicel Premier League, after notching their third straight win on Sunday, beating Reno 2-1 at a soggy Constant Spring playing field.

The Premier League newcomers kept their nerves in the final six minutes to maintain their win streak, which started with a 2-1 success at Village.

"This speaks volumes for the team," said Clarke. "This is what we were aiming for and we will try to keep the momentum going for the second round.

"For the second round, we'll have to do something about the goals being scored against us," he pointed out. "We'll have to repair that damage by keeping some clean sheets," he added.

Meadhaven have so far let in 19 goals in 11 games, but have scored 13 times, including last Wednesday's 4-3 thriller against fellow promoted team Rivoli United. They now have 11 points, one less than Reno.

On Sunday, Norman Bailey claimed Meadhaven's opening goal after his shot off Keammar Daley's corner in the third minute was turned in by a defender.

The homesters went 2-0 up in the 25th minute when Weston Forrest finished a second return pass from Daley, beating the advancing Reno goalie with a well-placed shot from inside the left side of the penalty box.

Reno should have pulled a goal back four minutes before the break but Gary McIntosh - after being pulled down by Roger Rodney - took a penalty that was well saved by Andrew Gibson moving to his left.

Missed penalty

Reno's coach, Wendell Downswell, said his team played a poor first half "and suffered the consequences".

"The turning point was when we missed the penalty," he said.

Both teams exhausted their benches in the second half, which was hit by rain, but it was Reno who looked better in the final six minutes after McIntosh made up for his saved penalty, leaving Rodney for dead and firing in from a most acute angle on the left side of the six-yard box.

Downswell thought his team dominated the second half. However, they only came alive after McIntosh's goal.

Reno were undone on the flanks in the first half, particularly the left side, which was often left empty by discarded national player, Obrian Woodbine, whose forays upfield left his wing-back position empty and spread his team's central defenders too wide, allowing Meadhaven acres of space.