Racing, Portmore in 0-0 stalemate

In a fixture that was expected to showcase some amount of fireworks, the Portmore derby between hosts Portmore United and Racing United fizzled out to a drab 0-0 draw at the Ferdi Neita Sports Complex yesterday.

The fans that came out to witness the encounter thought that the sight of the number-two ranked team playing the third-ranked side would provide some fireworks, but neither side really came out of their shell, as both attacks looked timid in the attacking third.

In the 90-plus minutes, both sides squandered the few chances they got to break the deadlock in an evenly contested affair.

Portmore’s Javier Brown had perhaps the best opportunities of the afternoon but failed to convert. In the 53rd minute, the midfielder came close when his low effort whistled just wide of the upright, leaving the Racing defenders and goalkeeper Aaron Enill relieved.

Just four minutes later, Brown was again in the thick of the action. A swift counterattack down the left saw a teasing cross floated into the box, which fell kindly for Brown. His first-time stab at goal was met by an alert Enill, who smothered the attempt to keep his side level.

Racing nearly got punished by Portmore in the 66th minute when Ronaldo Robinson intercepted a wayward back pass. With only the goalkeeper to beat, Robinson cleverly lobbed the advancing Enill, but the ball clipped the crossbar and bounced out of play.

In added time, Racing’s Jimoy Jones unleashed a thunderous 30-yard drive that forced goalkeeper Russell into a sharp save, parrying the effort away to preserve Portmore’s clean sheet.

Wasted opportunities

Despite the flurry of late chances, neither team could find the finishing touch. The result sees both sides adding a point to their tally, though each will feel they left opportunities on the pitch.

Portmore’s head coach Rodolph Austin thought his side did enough to seal all three points.

“It was an intense game and we created some chances and we didn’t capitalise. We defended really well, which was pleasing, but we wanted to be the first team to beat this Racing side, but it didn’t happen today.”

Racing’s Anthony Patrick was not happy with the performance but was glad for the point.

“I thought it was a hard-fought game and I would be lying if I didn’t say we would be glad for the point, but this is what we want to do, we want to a least take a point from the big teams and win the games that are winnable. Our aim is definitely the top six and we are on that path.”