National defender Dicoy Williams was pleased with his first outing in the country’s top-flight football in over two years, after representing Harbour View in the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) yesterday.
The 26-year-old six-footer, who spent two seasons in Canada with the Major League Soccer (MLS) team Toronto FC, was not re-signed by the North American outfit at the end of the last MLS season and is intent on getting himself back on the international circuit.
“My plan is simple. I am a professional footballer and my job is to play football, so I want to do that at the highest level,” said Williams, who resumed training with RSPL leaders Harbour View in December.
“Right now, I do not have a contract with an overseas club so I have to work my way back there as I did when I got my first opportunity, so that is what I am doing right now,” added the player who formed a solid partnership with Montrose Phinn at the centre of Harbour View’s defence in their 0-0 draw with Tivoli Gardens.
The win ensured that Harbour View increased their lead to 11 points over Portmore United ahead of their matchup with Waterhouse today, while Tivoli Gardens hurdled Sporting Central who went down 2-4 to Boys’ Town. A win for Portmore United could see the gap closed to eight points.
Williams’ partnership with Phinn was like the old times. There was that natural understanding.
“I think it was a good performance. It was my first game in quite a while and I think I did well. Having not played alongside Montrose in quite a while I was surprised at the understanding that we had and how well I played,” he gushed.
Williams, who showed good reading of the game as he along with Phinn mopped up the threat posed by the improving Andre McFarlane and Rafeik Thomas, both former Harbour View players.
Tivoli Gardens’ André McFarlane (left) and Harbour View’s Evan Taylor (centre) challenge for a header, while Tivoli’s Dennis Neish (right) and Harbour View’s Richard Edwards react, during the Red Stripe Premier League football match at Edward Seaga Sports Complex yesterday. The game ended 0-0. – Ian Allen/Photographer
“It is a different pace, but it was a good game for me building back up to my best.
“For me, this game was about getting back into the thick of things and lending some leadership and experience to the team. It was also about me
measuring myself, coming from a higher level and playing in the Premier League again, so it was important that I kept my standard up and I think I showed that,” he stated.
Things have changed
Getting back into the national setup is also on Williams’ mind.
he last game I played before this game and for the national team was in December where I played in our last game of the Caribbean Cup and I think I did well. Since that time things have changed, in that, it has become much more competitive so I will have to step up my game to get back in.
“So my plan right now is to play every game and do my best. That of course, depends on whether or not the coach picks me, but in my mind I am here to be a starter and that is my first goal. I know the coach has a team in mind and that I probably got a run to see what I have to offer, but I intend to make the most of it,” the former Mona High School and Arnett Gardens player said.
Tivoli Gardens’ André McFarlane (left) and Harbour View’s Evan Taylor (centre) challenge for a header, while Tivoli’s Dennis Neish (right) and Harbour View’s Richard Edwards react, during the Red Stripe Premier League football match at Edward Seaga Sports Complex yesterday. The game ended 0-0. – Ian Allen/Photographer