Déjà vu…Lovel Palmer does it again.
Twice in four days, as Palmer had scored in the 89th minute on Wednesday night to defeat Meadhaven United 1-0 in almost the exact way, in the same spot, in the same area, by the same play!
Ball on the left played through to Jomo Gordon, inside the penalty area as he displaces his marker to head goal-bound he is tripped and Referee Courtney Campbell points to the penalty spot in the 90th minute.
Palmer strikes is ninth goal of the season.
Stunned as the clock ticks away, the slowly retreating Rivoli United players can no longer delay the play as they wait agonizingly for the kicker to strike to know their faith.
Derrick Planter circles the ball as he comments to Palmer trying to break his concentration, so too goalkeeper Maurice Evans as he fumbles with the placed ball, Palmer restores its original position as he stares at the ball, rubbing it into the white painted circle, 12 yards from goal. He looks up but a third defender encroaches the area, delaying the decision yet again. He looks at Palmer but he too gets no response from the steely-eyed player.
FIFA Referee Campbell, now satisfied with the proceedings, signals the kick to be taken.
Palmer prepares to strike, he looks forward, strides up, Goalkeeper Evans anticipates and dives left, Palmer thumps it right to stretch the net…Goal!
The stadium erupts in glory, Palmer rides like a jockey as his teammates rush to embrace him and the bench dances in ecstasy, they all wave at each other on the way back to the half-line for the resumption.
But it never comes as Referee Campbell blows off the game as the three minutes of time added has elapsed and Harbour View remains on top of the Premier League with 53 points.
It was hailed as one of the better games that the “Stars of the East” has played all season from start to finish saw entertaining good flowing football with an array of simple two or three touches spreading the defensively organized Rivoli United team, playing obviously for a draw.
Leading goalscorer, Devon Hodges showed his ability a few times but was well controlled by Dicoy Williams and never troubled Dwayne Williams in goal. Valentine Gardener the in form striker tried a few hopeful attempts but never really threatened to score.
It was the “Gold and Blue” that were intent on penetrating from the start and Palmer came closest early as his header from 9 yards away from the back post went into the side netting.
Lance Laing made many squares from the left but none telling as the heavily stacked penalty area held up the offensives but for a sweet move down the left after seven one-touch passes ended with young substitute John-Ross Edwards slipping one through to the streaking Kavin Bryan to beat the advancing Evans in goal in minute 78 but the Assistant Referee had ruled it offside.
The jubilant fans were already cheering before they saw the raised flag to puncture the elated spirits, they sat back to wonder, what if or will it be today?.
The boys were not giving up and the Coach brought in Jomo Gordon and Nicholas Beckett to press the panic buttons of Rivoli while asking them telling tactical questions offensively.
Rivoli tried every delay tactic in the book while countering with more defensive players reinforcing the blockade midway the half to in front of their goal area, until the resistance was breached late in the game by the experience of Gordon moving across his marker as he panicked, to trip him and earn the vital penalty, to seal the deal.
Dejected the Rivoli United Coach tries to pass the blame onto the officials as his team follows the meaningless exercise as Harbour View journeys forward, to Reno FC away at Frome in Westmoreland, next Sunday.