Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

Bennett

Portmore United battled their way to a hard fought 2-1 extra time victory over Boys' Town in an exciting game at Ferdie Neita Park on Thursday night, booking their spot in the last eight of the all-island COK Champions Cup knock-out football competition.

After a scoreless first half, Portmore went a goal ahead courtesy of a Carlington Smith header, which saw the midfielder glance the ball into the net after being first to a 78th minute corner.

Pulled level

However, in form striker Denzil Watson, who ran like a man possessed for the entire game, seemed to relish the thought of knocking his former club out of the all-island knock-out competition.

Minutes before the final whistle, the forward saw to it that the Red Brigade pulled level, after outjumping his marker to head a Renae Lloyd cross past Portmore keeper Shawn Sawyers.

The night would, however, still end in disappointment for the battling Boys' Town.

The back line failed to pick up the run of the dangerous Roen Nelson and thought his initial shot was stopped by Boys' Town keeper Kirk Porter, but substitute Anthony Bennett was on hand to head the ball into an empty goal.

"We made two defensive errors and those mistakes cost us the game, but I think we fought valiantly, especially coming back from a goal down," was the assessment of Portmore coach Andrew Price. "We weren't as prepared as we would have liked to be for the game. We had a few injuries but I can't fault the team, they gave a lot of effort."

Commended team

Linval Dixon, coach of Portmore, also commended his team for a solid performance in the competitive fixture.

"We expected a tough game from them and we are grateful for the victory, we battled hard and we deserved it," he said. "I told them heading into extra time that it's about heart and that who wanted it more would get it."

Portmore will join Granville, Village United, Tivoli Gardens, Harbour View, Waterhouse, August Town and Humble Lions in the next round.

The St Catherine team is expected to face Granville.

In their game also on Thursday, Granville ducked Bath Sports Club 5-1 at the Cotton Tree Oval.