Chapelton hold Portmore goalless

Chapelton Maroons produced a disciplined defensive performance to secure a 0-0 draw against defending champions Portmore United in their Jamaica Premier League fixture at Ferdie Neita Park yesterday.

The result saw Chapelton slip one place to seventh on nine points, one behind Cavalier and three ahead of Portmore.

However, Maroons assistant coach Linval ‘Palla’ Wilson said the result was the product of a well-executed game plan.

“We worked out the Portmore team and prevented them from playing through the lines. We played 4-5-1 and protected the inside and allow them to go around, and they weren’t hurting us so we continued with that,” he explained.

“When we realise our midfield was slowing down, we replaced some people to get some fresh legs inside of midfield, and I think the boys did a very good job sticking to the plan we had against the defending champions.”

Portmore controlled possession for much of the contest but rarely tested Chapelton goalkeeper Zhaine Pinnock.

The champions’ best chance of the first half came just after the half-hour mark when Peter McGregor, under pressure, failed to get enough power on a header from Clayton Peck’s well-weighted cross from the left.

Seeking greater attacking impetus in the second half, Portmore coach Rodolph Austin introduced Tedj Bryan, Lamar Walker and Tarrick Ximines. The move almost paid immediate dividends when Bryan broke through two minutes after the restart but dragged his shot wide.

However, the pattern of the game soon re-emerged, with Portmore dominating possession while searching for a way through Chapelton’s stubborn defence.

As Portmore grew frustrated, Chapelton gained confidence and began posing more questions of the home side’s backline.

Nevertheless, it was Portmore who continued to create the better opportunities. In the 70th minute, Dvsean-J Campbell had a close-range header tipped over the crossbar, while Javier Brown saw his effort blocked by Pinnock, and Ronaldo Robinson fired wide from 18 yards.

Portmore squandered a glorious opportunity to claim all three points in the dying moments, but Brown pulled his shot wide from eight yards out.

Although Austin credited Chapelton’s defensive resilience, he believed his team lacked quality in the attacking third.

“It was a mix of both. I don’t think we had the cutting edge in the final third, but credit to Chapelton, I think they defended well.”

The coach also felt his players may have had Wednesday’s Caribbean Cup semi-final on their minds.

“Throughout the week the players knew what we were up to. They knew the plan, and we kept telling them to don’t think about Wednesday, think about today (Sunday).

“We made some changes, but it’s no excuse. We have a squad of 20-odd players. We played players who needed opportunity and sometimes when they don’t play they complain; but in football when you get opportunities you have to make use of it,” he stated.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com

Yesterday’s Results

Cavalier 2-1 Tivoli Gardens

Treasure Beach 0-5 Tru-Juice

Humble Lion 1-2 Racing United

Portmore United 0-0 Chapelton Maroons

Waterhouse 2-0 Dunbeholden