Lovel Palmer’s Hot Streak Against Meadhaven United Continues, As He Scores Another Late Winner In Minute 89

Meadhaven United and goalkeeper, Andrew Gibson must hate the name of Lovel Palmer or just to see him cross the halfline causes jitters and tremours in the mind of Coaches, especially in the dying moments of games when he seems to come alive.

In four games between both teams this season, Lovel has scored on every occasion, in addition to scoring twice in the first game making the tally 5 goals from 4 games. To extend the point yet further he has scored the winning goal on three occasions, and in the last three minutes of the games all against goalkeeper Gibson. In the fourth game he scored the only penalty converted in the shootout which we lost in semifinal action of the Jackie Bell Knockout.

A game which was replayed because of lighting problems last week on March 4th, the day to mark our 35th Anniversary, the lights were shinning brightly and so too the “Stars of the East”.

The bright start mirrowed Sundays second half continuing but alas a spate of fouls brought constant blasts of the whistle from the Referee for infringements, as three Meadhaven United players were cautioned but strangely it was the first offence from Denzil Watson from another foul committed on him, that signaled an immediate Red Card in minute 29.

Harbour View adopted a more measured stance protecting spaces and sharing roles and functions to keep pace with the larger numbers made good footballing sense by staving off the opposition while producing spurts of attacking ploys to get into prominent goalscoring positions but Gibson was equal to the task.

Meadhaven’s one-man advantage paid dividends in possession but in deep positions only, while taking shots from 23 to 35 yards out of range in midfield zones only.

NO PENETRATION, NO GOALS!

With time ticking over and Meadhaven asked to push the attacking envelope, they made two early substitutions at the half and in the 62nd minute, neither troubled the status quo although Keniel Hyde showed good ball possession skills only Lennox Creary seemed the one really capable, of a penetrating threat.

IT DID NOT HAPPEN.

All the time Harbour View probed various angle, combinations and weaknesses that were appearing the longer the game grew old.

Finally one of the many infringement against forward Kavin Bryan was rewarded with a 89th minute penalty. The Referee who had the easiest of calls to make as Bryan twisted and turned between two defenders inside the penalty area before being hacked to the ground by the second defender as he shook both opponents off his track.

Lovel Palmer stepped up and converted before dancing about in celebration of a victory, but as the ball was kicked off one last effort was engineered by Creary whose trying drive from outside the area was palmed away by Miller in goal as the rebound was again saved leading to a last minute corner kick.

That too, was well handled by the hosts and as the end came, Harbour View FC advances to the quarterfinals against Boys’ Town FC at Harbour View within the next two weeks.

AT HALFTIME AND AFTER THE GAME SPONSORS FLOW PRESENTED GIFTS TO LONG SERVICING CLUB ADMINISTRATORS (3) AND PLAYERS(5).

Club President Sydney Masters, original Club President, Vin Blaine and Chairman, Carvel Stewart who were their when it started in 1974. Players Clifton Waugh, Oniel Smith, Jermaine Hue, Robert Scarlett and Donald Stewart all have represented the club for more than 10 years at the senior level.