Molynes’ youngsters now gelling – Lawrence

Molynes United coach Garnet Lawrence credits his team's youthfulness for its 2-0 victory over Portmore United in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) at Sabina Park in Kingston yesterday.

Lawrence says the players are starting to gel and he says they can only get better.

Kingston College schoolboy Carrick Stewart got Molynes off to a positive start with a ninth-minute strike, and leading striker Nicholas Nelson sealed the deal with another in the 53rd minute.

"We are getting good, young players and they are pushing the team forward and we want to commend them," Lawrence said. "We want to get more victories and we are working harder because we are having our preseason in the season. So we just started coming together. This group started training about three weeks ago, as some were not yet transferred. But today you saw the camaraderie and teamwork."

Lawrence mentioned Stewart, Tyrique Wilson, Jaheim Harris, Dijon Grant, and Maquan Aldridge as players who carried the cause yesterday.

"They stood up and this is good for morale, good for the team," he said. "It is good for other youngsters to see another youngster starting and scoring. So I am confident that they will develop. This is a non-relegation season and that gives us more time to develop them and make them better for next year."

Molynes came out the better team and deservingly took the lead when Stewart steered home a right-sided cross from 10 yards out.

Portmore offered very little going forward and rarely threatened its opponent's goal. Its best chance came from a ball across the six-yard box late in the half but no one was on hand to put it away.

Molynes doubled the lead after half-time when Jermy Nelson set up younger brother, Nicholas, who slid home his fourth of the season.

After back-to-back defeats, Portmore coach Lenworth Hyde is concerned.

"Two losses on the trot, it's not looking good," he said. "We didn't play well. We kept turning over the ball and we were out-hustled. Their physicality got the better of us in all departments. We didn't create many chances and we didn't defend well. But it is a new squad so you will get these results. We just hope to get it right in the latter part of the season."

Molynes, the only team in the bottom half not to lose at the weekend, moved off the bottom of the table to 11th with the win. Like Vere United, Molynes have seven points, but an inferior goal difference. Montego Bay United now occupy last place with five points.

In the day's early match, Dunbeholden beat Humble Lion 1-0.