Onandi Lowe ... has been in sparkling form for Portmore lately. - File

By LeVaughn Flynn, Staff Reporter

Portmore United coach Linval 'Rudi' Dixon described controversial striker Onandi Lowe as a good listener after his role in Portmore United's 2-1 win over Tivoli Gardens in the semi-finals of the Red Stripe Champions Cup Knockout competition at the Harbour View Mini-Stadium on Sunday night.

Lowe, who scored the opening goal in the 53rd minute, had a bitter relationship with his previous club, Arnett Gardens, and has been labelled as indisciplined. Dixon, however, said things have been fine with Lowe since he was appointed head coach on March 1.

"He is a good listener and he works hard and I must congratulate him," commented Dixon, who, along with Lowe, was a part of Jamaica's 1998 World Cup squad. "He's really very focused at this time. His condition level is really on a high."

Lowe, who scored a hat-trick against Wadadah in the previous round, came close to scoring the winning goal after Christopher Jackson had equalised from the penalty spot in the 85th minute. In time added on, Lowe muscled away defender Dwight Herron to kick past Edsel Scott from close range, but he was whistled for a foul.

Powerful volley

Dixon was also proud of one of his other senior players who travelled to France in 1998, Christopher Dawes. Dawes, reminiscent of his younger days, struck a powerful and unexpected volley in the 105th minute to seal the game for Portmore. Dawes shot surprised everyone, especially a frozen Scott in goal.

"I can tell you Dawes always tries those stuff in training and somehow today it came off," said Dixon before adding "it's been a couple years (since I've seen it in a game)."

"But the moment was right and it was a good goal and it took us to the final."

Dixon also had some measure of satisfaction at exacting revenge against Tivoli.

"Last season we lost to Tivoli in the final and this season we came back and won. It wasn't one of our best games, but at the end of the day we did what we had to do," he said

Portmore will face Boys' Town in the final on April 8 after the Red Brigade edged August Town 1-0. Denzil Watson scored in the 69th minute.

August Town had the better chances in the first half with Zicko Herrera and Daniel Shaw creating the opportunities but they would come to regret those missed chances when Watson latched on to a ball then kicked around an advancing Devon Haughton in goal.

Shaw came close to getting an equaliser with a free kick on the edge of the 18-yard box but Boys' Town survived and will appear in their second final this season.

"We played a disciplined and tactical game and we deserve to be in the final and we're going out there to perform well," said Boys' Town coach Andrew Price.

"It's the last opportunity to win some silverware and we want to do it in the Red Stripe Cup."