Portmore all but seal title
Published:Monday | April 16, 2012 | 12:00 AM
Nodley Wright, Gleaner Writer
Then improbable occurrence of second-placed Boys' Town erasing a goal difference of 10 could be the only thing that could prevent between leaders Portmore United from taking the 2011/2012 Red Stripe Premier League.
Portmore United yesterday shrugged off the double handicap of going a goal down to Dane Kelly in the 17th minute and losing Recardo Morris in the 63rd minute to come-from behind and register a 1-1 draw with defending champions Tivoli Gardens at Ferdie Neita Park. That one point pushed them to an unassailable 66 points, while Boys' Town, the only team within catching distance, faltered with a 0-2 loss at Harbour View yesterday.
With three games to play and Portmore United enjoying a nine-point lead over Boys' Town, Portmore United cannot be surpassed by any team on the points table.
"We need one point in our next match against Humble Lion to ensure that we win the league so there will be no celebrations right now," said Portmore United coach, Calvin Lewis, still refusing to claim the title just yet.
While Portmore United are putting their celebrations on hold, Reno were not given the luxury of a delayed fate as a 0-2 loss to Montego Bay United condemned them to relegation, as the point earned by Highgate in their 2-2 draw with Sporting Central Academy ensured that they can not be surpassed by two teams for the two bottom positions slated for relegation.
Waterhouse also leapfrogged Humble Lion into third as they defeated them 3-0.
Standings
TOP SIX
| Clubs | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| Portmore | 35 | 19 | 9 | 7 | 46 | 31 | 15 | 66 |
| Boys' Town | 35 | 15 | 12 | 8 | 37 | 32 | 5 | 57 |
| Waterhouse | 35 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 39 | 31 | 8 | 55 |
| Humble Lion | 35 | 14 | 12 | 9 | 38 | 29 | 9 | 54 |
| Tivoli | 35 | 13 | 13 | 9 | 39 | 30 | 9 | 52 |
| H View | 35 | 11 | 17 | 7 | 33 | 27 | 6 | 50 |
BOTTOM SIX
| MoBay Utd | 35 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 44 | 32 | 12 | 50 |
| Arnett | 34 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 35 | 36 | -1 | 45 |
| Sporting | 35 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 28 | 38 | -10 | 42 |
| Highgate | 35 | 8 | 12 | 15 | 27 | 40 | -13 | 36 |
| Reno | 35 | 5 | 11 | 19 | 22 | 43 | -21 | 26 |
| Village | 34 | 5 | 10 | 19 | 22 | 41 | -19 | 25 |
Yesterday's Results
Portmore 1 Tivoli 1
Harbour View 2 Boys' Town 0
Waterhouse 3 Humble Lion 0
Reno 0 MoBay United 2
Highgate 2 Sporting Central 2
TODAY'S GAME
9 p.m. Arnett Gardens vs Village United at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex