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Portmore United coach, Shavar Thomas, says the club thinks very highly of young striker, Hardley Barnes, and he expects the national under-23 invitee to continue to improve and impact their season.

Barnes, 20-year-old and former Axum United player, netted his first Red Stripe Premier League goal and Portmore's second, in their 2-0 win over Cavalier at Stadium East yesterday. Thomas, who has been helping the young player find his feet in the nation's top-flight, believes he has a promising goalscorer in his ranks.

"He is a young player from Portland. We scouted him from the national under-23 set-up. We signed him and we are very happy with what we've seen and that is why you saw him in the game today.

"He's been pushing the bit in practice and we have seen what he can do. So we trust him and that is why we put him out there and it paid off because he got his chance and took it and sealed the win," Thomas told STAR Sports.

Meanwhile, the former Port Antonio High player, who was playing his fourth game as a substitute, was simply pleased to be getting his opportunity to play at the highest level locally.

"This is my first goal and I just want to give thanks to my teammates for their support and thank my coach who gave me the opportunity to go out and play my part," he said.

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FIRST GOAL

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"This is my fourth game. I came off the bench in all of them. To get my first goal feels wonderful, I feel good and just want to continue to work hard and continue scoring more goals. My ambition is to reach a higher level than where I am at now. But whether I start or not, I am looking to play my part," he added.

Portmore controlled the first half but Cavalier should have went ahead when they were awarded a penalty early in the contest, but goalkeeper Kemar Foster denied Chevonne Marsh's penalty kick to keep the scores level. However, moments later Portmore themselves were awarded a penalty and Javon East made no mistakes to put the visitors ahead.

After both teams wasted good chances to score in the second half, Barnes, ran on to a through ball from Damian Williams and touched the ball past St Michael Edwards in goal, to put Portmore 2-0 up and seal the victory..

Yesterday's RSPL Scores:

Reno 1-0 UWI

Mt Pleasant 0-1 Dunbeholden

Humble Lion 1-1 Waterhouse

Cavalier 0-2 Portmore

Harbour View 1-2 Montego Bay