I don’t feel pressured- Gardner - Portmore lose to another promoted team in second game of the season

Portmore United head coach Ricardo ‘Bibi’ Gardner said he doesn’t feel pressured despite his team going down to a 2-0 loss to promoted team Vere United at the Wembley Centre Of Excellence in Clarendon in the Red Stripe Premier League yesterday.

It was the second straight defeat to a promoted side in the RSPL, as Portmore lost their opening fixture 3-0 to Molynes United.

The former Harbour View coach, who joined Portmore ahead of the new season, says he has seen enough signs to know that his team will bounce back from these upsets.

“There are a lot of positives coming out of this game, we have a lot of work to do, especially in the middle of the park, it’s going to take chemistry and they have to keep believing in themselves because we have quality players in our team,” said Gardner.

Portmore was expected to put in a better showing against the promoted Vere United side having welcomed back middle field general Lamar Walker, who recently returned from a trial stint in Brazil with Vasco da Gama.

The Portmore team also handed a start to on-loan striker Corey Burke, who was getting his first taste of action this season.

Despite the injection of those influential players, Portmore has also lost several other players to overseas contracts.

With a youthful squad at his disposal, Gardner believes there is nothing to worry about at this juncture and it is just a matter of time before the team starts chalking up the wins.

“As soon as we get back the confidence which I know they have, we will see the true Portmore United, as one of my close friends always said, it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish”, explained Gardener.

In the meantime, Vere United extended their unbeaten streak to twenty-three games following their impressive 2-0 win over Portmore United.

Xahne Reid fired the home team in front after 13 minutes with a brilliant free-kick from some 25 yards out. The Clarendon based team then sealed the win in the 75th minute when Zain Hylton slotted past Benjamin Williams after receiving a delightful through pass from Devroy Grey.

Yesterday’s Result:

Dunbeholden 0- 1 Waterhouse

Humble Lion 1-1 Mount Pleasant

Molynes United 3- UWIFC

Tivoli Gardens 0- 1 Arnett Gardens

Vere United 2 -0 Portmore United