As the light pre-game showers drizzled across the stadium the crowd poured into the grounds in high anticipation of a top class contest, that had a double impact on the league leadership as well as a place in the End of Second Round Finals.
Portmore United had the pole position in both eventualities as they started the game as league leaders with 42 points, additionally they had already been bestowed the privilege of qualifying to the End of Second Round Finals with 23 points, awaiting one of four competitors seeking victories.
Chief amongst them was “The Stars of the East” one of three Clubs on 18 points including Tivoli Gardens FC and Arnett Gardens FC, all chasing Boys’ Town FC on 20 points needing a draw only to advance.
On the hunt from the beginning, Harbour View marched forward initially striking on goal from distance as Lance Laing’s scorching left-footer from 27 yards was tipped wide for a corner by goalkeeper Dwayne Kerr in the 18th minute.
Playing not to lose from the outset, a dogged Portmore United bunkered down deep in their half and rarely came forward in search of a goal but concentrating on spoiling the attacking tendencies of the host team.
0-0 at halftime, the scores from all games in the final set of games in Round Two were being staged simultaneously in observance of the FIFA “Fair Play” Laws.
Word arrived that Tivoli Gardens were leading Boys’ Town by 1-0, setting off a buzz around the stadia in anticipation of a victory paving the way for “The View” grabbing the precious place in the Final.
Motivated to achieve, Harbour View came out much the busier in the second half creating more opportunities to score they discovered a huge stumbling block in their way as the 6 foot 5 inches frame of Kerr was not in a mood to concede any goals.
Twice headers were blocked, firstly Laing’s cross was met by new recruit Denzil Watson who headed wide from the penalty spot, then Andre Fagan headed down a second Laing square but as it bounced across the goal-line the dreaded fingertips of Kerr diverted it for another corner.
In between the series of HVFC attacks, Portmore created one half chance when a corner was floated over by Kevin Derr onto the head of Steven Morrisey just about the six yards box but his uncontrolled header soared above the crossbar.
Captain Jermaine Hue’s corner twelve minutes later, was headed inside the near post by Kavin Bryan but alas Kerr again smothered it on the line before spilling it seven yards away to the foot of Rafiek Thomas who blasted it towards goal, only to see Kerr again miraculously repeat the save much to the indignation of the large home crowd.
Not to be accomplished, the mission lost its last chance when a searching Thomas cross was attempted to be headed down by Dicoy Williams but his mis-timed jump went easily to the goalkeeper as he continued to gobble-up all attacking attempts by HVFC right to the very end to deny the advance.
In the end Boys’Town earned a hard fought 2-2 draw coming from behind, to qualify for the fInal next Sunday, February 15th.