Dixon happy with 'fighting spirit' after red card

Anthony Minott, Freelance Writer

Down to 10-men after 37 minutes had elapsed in a Digicel Premier League match at the Ferdie Neita Park due to the expulsion of Sheldon Battiste for a clumsy challenge on Rivoli's Kirk Ramsey, many fans might have thought Portmore United - which have not scored a goal in five matches - would have succumbed to another goalless finish.

In fact, Portmore did the opposite and took the fight to Rivoli and scored the first goal of the game when Shauntel Mundle's 73rd-minute blast took a wicked deflection and beat Rivoli's goalie Leon Goffe.

The goal was Portmore's first in five games, and 11th in 20 matches. Portmore have not won a game since Roen Nelson scored in a 1-0 win over Boys' Town at home on November 29.

Fighting spirit

On the downside, a lapse in concentration by the defence two minutes later, spoilt Portmore's celebrations as Rivoli's Valentine Gardener netted the equaliser.

However, Portmore United's coach Linval Dixon was delighted with the fighting spirit his team displayed.

"We hoped we could have gotten the three points; overall, it was a good team effort. We were one man short because of the red card, we fought hard and I have to give credit to my team ... we got a point, we have to work with it."

Dixon added: "Our first goal in five games; we got a goal and then gave up one, it was a defensive error.

"The good thing is we got one goal and the bad thing is we gave up a goal. We just have to work on it for the next game," Dixon said.

Rivoli's coach, Bradley Stewart, thought it was a competitive game.

Lacking composure

"I thought both teams played competitively ... not the best of games. When teams are fighting, the composure is sometimes lacking. They (Portmore) had some good chances, particularly in the first half, but we stood up, they got a goal, we got a goal just after that, one has to say it was a fair result."

He added: "Playing with 10 men, I thought Portmore put a little more intensity in the game than we did. We should have had more control over the game, which we didn't, and allowed Portmore to be comfortable instead of putting them under pressure.

"All in all, coming away from home a point is normally acceptable," he said.

The 1-1 result saw Portmore inch up to 22 points and Rivoli move to 21.

Portmore United 1

Shauntel Mundle 73rd

Rivoli United 1

Valentine Gardener 75th