Ten-man Tru-Juice clip defending champions

Tru-Juice Football Club returned to the top of the Legend Jamaica Premier League (LJPL), following an entertaining 2-1 win over defending champions Portmore United at Ferdi Neita Park yesterday.

The winners ended the match with 10 men. Defender Chevoy Watkin was sent off in the 84th minute after he was cautioned twice.

The league’s leading marksman, Tyrone Mullings, scored the decisive goal in the 60 minute to put Tru-Juice 2-0 up, after Alex Marshall fired them in front in the 41st minute.

Marques Reid reduced the score in the 68th minute, but Tru-Juice held out to secure the result, which lift them to 20 points, two more than Waterhouse in second.

“This is not something that is happening by accident. We put in a lot of work and we always anticipate these challenges,” said assistant coach of Tru-Juice Craig Richards.

“We were playing against the defending champions and we know the quality they have, but we had to defend well and we had to score in order to win. It was a very good performance, and we are very happy.”

Both teams started brightly, but it was Portmore who had the greater threats on goal with Tarick Ximines stinging the palm of goalkeeper Tafari Chambers with a ferocious drive, before heading another good opportunity over the bar minutes later.

Tyrone Mullings had Tru-Juice’s first real opening, but a last-ditch tackle from Portmore’s Akeem Mullings prevented an almost certain goal.

Tedj Bryan had an even better chance for Portmore in the 26th minute, but he failed get his shot past the goalkeeper.

However, it was Rvieme Gayle who came closest to breaking the deadlock, when he smashed a free kick off the bar in the 38th minute.

Marshall gave Tru-Juice the lead two minutes later with a strike into the back post.

Tru-Juice added to their lead 15 minutes into the second half, when Tajay McIntosh fired a shot across the face of goal and Mullings was well placed to steer home from 10 yards.

Portmore’s Reid turned home past Chambers minutes later, to reduce the deficit.

Portmore continued to hold the ascendency throughout the remainder of the match, but Tru-Juice held firm to secure three valuable points.

“It was a really good game, but I think we conceded two goals we could have avoided,” Portmore coach Rodolph Austin commented. “At the end of the day, Tru- Juice came here and played a good game. They played as a unit and they made it difficult for us, and the team that wanted it more won the game, “ he added.

Portmore stayed in eighth place on 10 points.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com