The long familiar venue of Constant Spring looked sparsely populated as the burnt grassy surface was unfamiliar to many has the arid conditions of the ground reflected the new seasonal weather changes in the last few years.
Dry or not, the “Stars of the East” were in not mood for pleasantries after mutual friendly exchanges in the first half that saw Richard Edwards pass when the crowd expected a thunderous shot to goal, Lovel Palmer slot home but it was just called back for offside as the flag was recognized.
Meadhaven United’s, Keammar Daley and Leighton Neita made long range attacking attempts but they flew wide of the mark from midway the half, the patrons and Live Radio Broadcasters viewing them as speculative at best..
The 46th minute, opening salvo showed signs of things to come, as the seemingly pending journey into “Adventure-land” was revealed from the kickoff, the “Stars” are coming to shine on you!
Quickly a shifting play from right to left, found Marcelino Blackburn who relayed it immediately across the backline and into the penalty box for Kavin Bryan to chase. The goalkeeper advanced to intercept but only succeeded in fumbling the difficult bouncing ball, as Bryan eluded the defender the ball feel kindly in his path and he recovered amply to slide it into the empty net as the goalkeeper lay frustrated at the edge of his 18 yards box.
1-0 after 52 minutes.
Another swift change of attacking angles and the error was repeated this time by defender, Rohan Williams who controlled the ball on his inside while Blackburn came around him from the outside, to steal it and dispatched the ball into the far post with the goalkeeper stranded.
2-0 after 57 minutes.
Minute 68:
Captain, Jermaine Hue dribbles outside the box as the defenders close the spaces urgently, two players darted away towards the box in opposite directions in anticipation of a pass from the playmaker…it never came, but a loud roar from the crowd erupted as the blazing grounder bounced over the outstretched hands of the goalkeeper and extended the back of the nets to cap of a good display worth three points and three goals.
Three HVFC substitutions followed quickly as rest and recovery seemed the next plan of action as both teams meet again on Wednesday night in a replay of the FLOW Champions Cup quarter-finals at Harbour View FC.