The “Stars of the East” strike a telling 3-1 blow to title aspirations and Portland flag-bearers, St. George’s Sports Club at the Compound, in a replayed feature!
Two incisive wounds were struck before halftime, as the hungry looking Harbour View aggregation went on the early offensive before St. George’s stood strong and forced them onto the backfoot with accurate ball possession and rained down some five shooting attempts on Dwayne Miller in goal, unfortunately only on one occasion did he have to make a save.
In their anxiety to grab the first goal, the Portlanders exposed their backline as Captain, Jermaine Taylor’s forward forays left them a bit short in organization and as the international striker Kavin Bryans’, instincts kicked in with immediate effect he turned brother Ricardo Taylor at the halfline as he tried to foul him and set of on a mazy unstoppable run down the left channel, heading directly for goal. With three defenders in his wake the crafty forward pivoted left before chipping the ball right around the advancing goalkeeper to tuck it home and open the scoring in minute 34.
His 4th goal in 7 games since returning from a one season loan stint in Norway at Notodden FK.
HVFC now in the ascendancy, a second wave of attacks result in the second goal scored by Andre “Bullet-head” Fagan from the top of the 18 yards box as he turned twice before lashing a scorcher all along the ground lodging inside the near post on minute 43.
The home supporters roared them on as CEO Vincent Chang and Marketing Officer, Shawn Pinnock with the visiting 23 members of Staff from Purity Bakery smiled with satisfaction as their newly announced $800,000 Sponsorship agreement showed positive results with their Logo on the Clubs Sleeves. The official presentation was in evidence on centre-field in the halftime break under the glare of Television Cameras and Photographers, followed by personal interviews.
Captain, Taylors’ forward thrust paid of handsomely for himself and his team when on 48 minutes, he latched onto a free ball 20 yards from goal and his torrid drive was deflected past a diving goalkeeper Miller as a defenders effort to block it proved costly.
Their tails up St. George’s SC moved forward seeking an equalizer but the HVFC team lead by National defender, Dicoy Williams and partner Montrose Phinn was in no mood to repeat the unfortunate incident of Sundays game where they gave up two late goals.
Coach Donovan “DV” Hayles, pre-game statements were that “…it is not so much what you do when you make an error but how quickly you correct and respond positively to it, as he wants his charges to win this game and secure three points to again top the league”.
His players responded in the affirmative as substitute Marcelino “Bassa” Blackburn entering the game in the 76th minute capped of his recent return from injury as surprisingly replacing Jermaine Hue as the kicker, who had earlier in the game curved 3 shots over the wall as he smashed one against the crossbar then hit two other close-shaves.
St. George’s defensive wall and goalkeeper, Ralston Robinson were outwitted as “Bassa” slid the 21 yards freekick all along the ground under the jumping wall boots and it crept pass Robinson’s planted left foot who was unsighted and into the near-post as an excited Blackburn took of in wild celebration at the halfline with his bench as the patrons applauded his quick thinking and sharp execution to conclude the game 3-1, with his 89th minute bit of intelligence.
HVFC regained the League leadership with 54 points by 3 points over defending Champions Tivoli Gardens FC on 51, with St. George’s SC remaining in 5th place with 38 points. Notably HVFC also remains the Leagues best defensive unit by conceding only 15 goals in 27 games with St. George’s SC fourth with 19 goals conceded.
The evening would also have 10 Gift Baskets presented to lucky patrons from a Raffle of Gate Prizes before two Most Valuable Players were awarded at the end of the game as St. GSC Captain, Jermaine Taylor and HVFC’s Jermaine Hue receiving baskets from a lady of Purity, fully clad in a yellow outfit.
On Sunday, HVFC is at home against now bottom of the tables Portmore United left on 27 points after losing to fellow strugglers Arnett Gardens FC by 0-1 yesterday, in the only other replayed game at Ferdie Neita Park.