Rains islandwide caused slippery conditions underfoot as soft surfaces impacted of high quality games would sometimes be sacrificed for defensive organization highlighted by attacking accuracy to gain points.
Harbour View were clinical in finishing attacks while accommodating opponents surges with immature positioning that Arnett squandered to their own detriment later in the game. Early attacks from the “jungilists” found Kwame Richardson benefit from a cross that hit his shin before skidding wide of the upright after 6 minutes. Then another right sided cross was headed under pressure, outside the near post 8 minutes later by Tristan Bernard.
Harbour View responded when deep midfielder Richard Edwards powered a 23 yard bouncing effort at goal that hit the forehead of goalkeeper Julian McLiesh before bouncing back into the penalty area and cleared into touch. Lovel Palmer broke on the right but shot straight at a well positioned McLiesh while hard working Kevin King returning from red card suspension, was constantly being fouled and Luton Shelton was closely patrolled as always. Cautions to defender Jerry Walters by Referee Peter Prendergast soon slowed that trend as other defenders were verbally warned.
Another effort spurned by Gregg Taylor was saved by Leighton Murray low down to his right as King was again bundled over before the resulting Gregory Simpson left footed free kick was deflected for a corner. Nicholas Dodd’s kick was palmed wide by McLeish and King shot was handled as Prendergast pointed to the penalty spot in minute 44. Shelton drove the shot with ferocious power against the nylon net to go to the break at 1-0.
Arnett again started the half brightest with five men in midfield seeking the equalizer as Harbour View stood firm guided by the leadership of returning Donald “Foulie” Stewart in midfield replacing last games MVP Marcelino Blackburn as Loxely Thomas was elevated to an attacking role. Close encounters by the defense unit held out for the first 22 minutes as the entry of substitutes Ronnie Amaguana for Simpson, Blackburn for Loxely Thomas and Richard West for Shelton changed the game in favour of the visitors as the heavy surface took a toll on the legs of Arnett defenders as their attack fell away with dubious substitutions not appreciated by the crowd.
Dodd streaked down the right before crossing to West who simple relayed to King in the box to drive a grounder wide of McLiesh in minute 77 to go up 2-0. As the resulting kickoff unfolded in was greeted with sloppy defensive tackles that left Gregg Taylor with a half chance inside the box to score in minute 78.
Harbour View regrouped immediately warned by eruption of the supporters, the added urgency of the players and coaches they slowed the game and converted series of passes across the field to seize control again. Blackburn and West combined beautifully throughout as Jermaine Taylor stole the ball to stride forward into the opponents half then slipping a pass outside to West on the left flank who easily disposed of his marker to square for the motivated Blackburn to outpace the defence get a second touch to his control by headed into the goal in time added on as he raced to the corner flag to “get- jiggy and fan them off” dance in celebration.
Harbour View regained sole leadership of the League on 12 points.
Next Sunday, October 2, 2005 Harbour View hosts the returning former three time Champions Seba United of Montego Bay at home at 6:30pm.
Starting Lineup:
- GK : Leighton Murray,
- Defence: Nicholas Dodd, Jermaine Taylor, Alex Thomas, Gregory Simpson,
- Midfield: Loxely Thomas, Richard Edwards, Lovel Palmer, Donald Stewart,
- Forwards: Luton Shelton, Kevin King.
Substitutes:
- Ronnie Amaguana, Marcelino Blackburn , Richard West,
- Not used: William Richards, Sean Mason, Leon Strickland, Dennis Clayton (Gk).
- Luton Shelton was cautioned for the third time and then misses the next game.
Other League Results: (Home teams named first)
- Village United 4 Waterhouse 1
- Seba United 1 Rivoli United 2
- Reno 0 Tivoli Gardens 1
- Portmore United 0 Boys Town 0
- Constant Spring 1 Wadadah 1