Portmore outlast Caribbean champions

Portmore United booked their place in Sunday's Jamaica Premier League (JPL) Super final after an enthralling 4-2 win over Mount Pleasant in the second leg of their semi-final tie at the National Stadium yesterday, for a 4-3 aggregate win.

Goals from Tarick Ximines (23rd minute) and Ronaldo Robinson (28th) turned the tie around to put Portmore 2-1 up on aggregate.

Mount Pleasant’s Raheem Edwards pulled one back to make it 2-2 on aggregate, though his side trailed 2-1 on the night with a goal in the 62nd minute.

Dunsting Cohen restored Portmore's advantage on aggregate with a header at the end of first-half stoppage time.

However, Jahshaun Anglin, again pulled back a goal for Mount Pleasant, who now trailed 3-2, but were 3-3 on aggregate.  Anglin’s goal came three three minutes into the second half of extra time.

There were more twists to be had though, as Javier Brown secured the winner for Portmore three minutes later to send his side into its first final in seven years.

"Football is about character and winning mentally," said Portmore coach Rodolph Austin. 

"And that’s what they have shown over the play-offs. I am really proud. I am very happy for the players. Some of the players haven't experienced something like this before and they went out and gave it their all, and they won and are very happy."

Portmore started the game positively with good attacking play and counter pressing.

Tarick Ximines fired the underdogs into the lead on the day and levelled the score on aggregate with a spectacular strike from more than 40 yards. Mount Pleasant goalkeeper Tafari Chambers had no chance.

Portmore continued to dictate the proceedings and Ronaldo Robinson added a second with a powerful shot from the edge of the box to put Portmore 2-1 up on aggregate.

Portmore started the second half even better than they did the first and had a flurry of chances, the best of which fell to Cory Burke, who could not convert with only Chambers to beat.

Both teams showed good attacking intent, but it was Mount Pleasant who got the next goal, after a loose ball came out to Edwards on top of the box and he unleashed a precise shot past Daniel Russell into the far corner.

Mount Pleasant slowly grew into the game and looked more convincing after the goal, but Portmore made a number of changes, to freshen things up towards the end, and kept Mount Pleasant at bay to see the game to extra time.

Portmore got the go-ahead goal in the 104th minute from Cohen, who planted a bullet header past Chambers after some quick combinations down the left.

However, Mount Pleasant would get right back in it with a soft-looking penalty, which Anglin slotted past Russell to tie the game 3-3 on aggregate.

However, Portmore would have the last word, as three minutes later, Brown got loose on top of the six-yard area and slammed a shot past Chambers to give Portmore a 4-2 lead and a 4-3 aggregate.

Mount Pleasant had a number of good opportunities throughout the second half of extra time but at the end of the day, it was not to be for the St Ann club.

Mount Pleasant coach Theodore Whitmore said it was inexplicable to concede so many goals on the night.

"What we came to do didn't go to plan. When in a game like this you concede so much goal, and I have never seen Mount Pleasant concede so many goals, you know you are asking for problems. But credit must be given to Portmore. They showed character. They showed resilience. They are deserved winners," he commented.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com