DEFENDING champions Harbour View jumped to fourth in the table and kept the pressure on the leading pack with a resilient 1-0 win over Arnett Gardens at the Compound on Wednesday night.
The winning goal was the first Harbour View have put past this opposition this season and came in the form of a 20th-minute penalty that was powerfully hit home by a confident Marcelino Blackburn.
The result meant the champions continued their solid run of form that has seen them unbeaten in all competitions since mid-December, while also leaving Arnett Gardens in the midst of a tough battle to end the round in the top six.
A frantic first half had the hosts dominating the opening minutes before their visitors tipped the balance the other way, enjoying plenty of possession for much of the first 45. Both sides had chances to score but failed to make the most of them, and it was Arnett who would pay for their profligacy.
The decisive moment came from a long ball forward which Harbour View skipper Richard Edwards, making a rare foray into the opposition box, ran onto, bursting through the defence and having his ankles clipped by the struggling centre back.
It was an easy decision for referee Valdin Legister and Blackburn, having missed a spot kick against Village United last month, stepped up again to confidently hit it into the bottom corner of the net.
Further chances came and went at both ends and the visitors increased the pressure in the latter stages, but a solid defensive display coupled with some acrobatic saves by Harbour View ‘keeper Michard Barrett ensured the home side held onto their slender lead until the final whistle.
Arnett Gardens’ coach, Paul Davis rued the error that left his side with nothing.
“I think it’s a game of mistakes tonight. I think we made one mistake and lapsed and they scored a penalty. Overall it was a good game; two teams fighting to play football. I think we gave Harbour View too much respect and it cost us the game.”
His opposite number Donovan Hayles had mixed feelings following his side’s victory.
“We made the game more difficult than it should be; we couldn’t put them away, especially in the second half we created three clear openings.
“I think we played a very good game, especially in the first half … so I’m very pleased with our team today. But in terms of the scoreline, not too pleased. We left too much to chance.”
TEAMS:
HARBOUR VIEW — Michard Barrett, Dicoy Williams, Montrose Phinn, Christopher Harvey, Kimorllee Brisett, Richard Edwards, Marcelino Blackburn, Andre Steele, Jermaine Hue, Rafeik Thomas, Elton Thompson.
Subs not used: D Haughton, J Richards, K Wolfe, F Campbell, L Nelson, J Spence, A McFarlane.
ARNETT GARDENS –– Damion Hyatt, Rasheede Clarke, Marvin Stewart, Ryan Powell, Dwayne Gayner, Ricardo Smith, Rohan Reid, Garfield Gellespie, Leon Strickland, Nicholas Dodd, Kirk Ramsey.
Subs not used: J McLeish, D McKenley, R Stern, K Brown, O Campbell, R Dennis, V Manning.