Anthony Minott, Star Writer

Division One team Royal Lakes will take a 1-0 advantage into their second-leg St Catherine Credit Union sponsored knock-out football game against Major League club Portsmouth at thePorts-mouth playing field next week, following their win at the Prison Oval on Thursday night.

The all-important goal was scored by substitute Davian Brown, who benefited from a counter-attacking manoeuvre. Earlier, Portsmouth's Horace Brown was given a red card by referee Nigel Roberts in the 62nd minute for a dangerous tackle on a Lakes player.

Coach of Royal Lakes, John Williams said his team played to expectations. "I think we played well, we controlled 60 percent of the ball, and if we were scoring our chances we could have had a wider margin of victory." He further stated: "The second leg will be tough, we are going to their home so we have to lift our game, but my team is ready for the challenge." Portsmouth coach Dwayne Taylor was angered by the officiating.

"I am very upset with referee Nigel Roberts. My goalkeeper was down injured, and he directed my players to continue playing, he should have stopped the game and attended to the goalie," he said.

"We will now be playing the next leg on our home field, and it is not going to be easy for them, because we usually do well at home," Taylor said. In the second match of the double-header, Waterford came back twice to hold Dela Vega United 2-2.

The first round is played on a home and away basis, but the second round onwards takes a straight knock-out format.