Premier League:
The 5pm start time for the End of Round One Final proved very attractive to the avid football fans across the corporate area who journeyed near and far to see every minute of the encounter from his or her favourite vantage point in the Harbour View Stadium.
The teams obliged early on as Kevin ”Pele” Wilson showed the best signs of attacking when he drifted to the wide left position to create good dribbles into the box and telling crosses to his team mates dashing into the area as soon as he gets the ball. Once such venture was floated onto the crossbar over the head of custodian Ryan Thompson before being cleared upfield. Then midway the half, Jonathan Williams produced a defensive splitting pass inside the right wingback Ronnie Amaguana to Kwame Richardson who hardly got unto the end of it to tap it wide of the opposite post.
Midfield battles dominated goalmouth finishes as Harbour View wrestled away the advantage from the ”Jungilists” with good teamwork and hard off-the-ball running resulting in 20 year old Rafiek Thomas winning the ball on the line just inside the left corner flag before whipping a cross that found the waiting Marcelino Blackburn about the penalty spot to direct home one-time into the far corner of Julian McKliesh’s goal. Minute 28, Harbour View 1 Arnett Gardens 0.
He returned just the minute before the half ended to let loose a canon from 24 yards to rattle McKliesh right-hand leaving him seated firmly on the ground entangled with the right post as the waiting head of Thomas was there to nod home easily for what the entire stadium thought was the second goal. It was ruled offside not to the pleasure of the largest crowd witnessed this season who roared in unison “NO” Mr Referee. As the players disappeared into the tunnel for halftime, the stadium buzzed with excitement as patrons got a chance to vent there frustration, praise their heroes and refresh themselves.
The second stanza kicked off was very open from the restart as Arnett again assumed the aggression with good ball skills while utilising the diagonals from coordinated attacks. Quickly, the fleet-footed Williams chased a ball into the penalty area, hotly pursued by William Richards as Thompson advanced from his line to intercept but failed to get the ball and grabbed the players’ ankle tripping him up in minute 49 to reward a penalty.
Kevin Wilson converted magically to level the scores, 1-1.
As the pressure builds the Arnett Gardens contingent surged forward until another speculative drive from distance weaved through the pack to stop at the feet of Gregg Taylor, who looked dangerously offside, alone some seven yards from goal. His second touch directed it wide of goal. It was to prove, the match winner.
Arnett still could not establish dominance and again Harbour View emerged through Oniel Smith and Nicholas Dodd who replaced the injured Lovel Palmer at halftime, sprinted forward to cross three times but not precisely until he drove his first attempt goal bound for McKliesh spread-eagled himself to save by palming the ball out of his goal as Patrick Graham cleared before reconstructing a counter-attack from midway his half.
Fever-pitch excitement was highlighted with the second Marcelino Blackburn attempt to score from a left-sided free kick floated into the area by Oniel Smith, his shot was blocked on the goal line by the outstretched hand of diving player Gerald Niel that miraculously referee Stennett never saw.
The large crowd enjoyed the combat of a high intensity contest highlighted by good saves by each goalkeeper then Harbour View were rewarded by another corner. A skirmish broke out inside the penalty area as both teams lost two players to red card ejections.
Kevin “Pele” Wilson openly slapped Rafiek Thomas twice with Referee Howard Stennett standing three yards away, Thomas then requested the ref to act, he was ejected. Cornel Chinsue then blocked Thomas as he walked away and they exchanged words. Thomas responded with a punch, he too was ejected. Chinsue was restrained then burst out and threw two lounging punches at Leon Strickland standing close by before he was also ejected by Referee Stennett. Strangely enough Stennett ejected a restrained Strickland to seemingly even-up the teams. A good game spoilt in time added on.
The game ended 2-1 as the Wray and Nephew Trophy was hoisted by new Champions Arnett Gardens.
Harbour View remain sole leaders of the Premier League on 27 points.
On Sunday, November 13, 2005 Harbour View hosts the Wadadah FC Under 21 at 4pm and the Premier League 6:30pm in the opening game of Round Two.
Starting Lineup:
- GK : Ryan Thompson,
- Defence: Ronnie Amaguana, William Richards, Ricardo White, Jermaine Taylor,
- Midfield: Loxely Thomas, Lovel Palmer, Marcelino Blackburn, Oniel Smith ,
- Forwards: Kemar Petrekin, Rafiek Thomas.
Substitutes:
- Nicholas Dodd, Leon Strickland, Gregory Simpson.
- Not used:Leighton Murray, Anthony Christie, Orville Campbell.