LEADERS Harbour View missed a glorious chance to extend their lead to nine points atop the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) after being held to a 1-1 draw by Tivoli Gardens on Monday night.
Harbour View started six clear of Portmore United and Boys’ Town, but are now only seven points ahead in what could have been a massive lead.
The ‘Stars of the East’ inched to 30 points from 14 games, while Tivoli stayed ninth with 19.
“Definitely, we wanted three points, but that’s football. We got some half-chances and with some luck, could have got it, but when you play teams like Tivoli they’re going to give you a hard time, no matter how bad they are playing,” said head coach Vin Blaine.
Jermaine Hue had given home team Harbour View a 58th-minute lead from a free kick that dipped under the outstretched hands of goalkeeper Edsel Scott. Earlier, Hue saw a similar shot diverted by a diving Kasai Hinds.
But Harbour View’s lead would be short-lived as towering defender Damion Gordon nodded home in the 61st from a corner.
Despite their territorial dominance, Harbour View could have left empty-handed had it not been for two fine saves from goalkeeper Devon Haughton.
With coach Glendon Bailey bringing on Navion Boyd, Dane Kelly and live wire Akeem Thenstead together in the 57th, Tivoli had a pep in their steps.
Boyd latched onto a ball just inside the area and his low goal-bound shot was brilliantly turned around for a corner in the 65th.
Then, with 17 minutes of normal time left, Kelly found himself with only the goalkeeper to beat, but his lobbed effort was saved by Haughton.
Harbour View — Devon Haughton, Clifton Waugh, Montrose Phinn, Robert Williams, Eric Vernan, Evan Taylor, John Ross Edwards, Kemeel Wolfe (Kimorlee Brissett 84th), Jermaine Hue, Roland Dean (Fabian Taylor 77th), Damion Harewood (Jermie Lynch 64th).
Subs not used: Ashek Taylor, Romario Campbell, Nicholas Beckett, Rondel Morris.
Booked: Evan Taylor 76th
Tivoli Gardens — Edsel Scott, Keithy Simpson, Damion Gordon, Kasai Hinds, Christopher Jackson, Fabian Campbell, Raymond Williamson, Jamie Robinson (Dane Kelly 57th), Jermaine Allen (Akeem Thenstead 57th), Nicholas Scott (Navion Boyd 57th).Subs not used: Roybert Clarke, Davion Garrison, Barrington Pryce, Danielo Brown.
Booked: Gordon 56thReferee: Wilverglen Lamey
Assistants: Omar Mills, Damion Williams
Fourth Official: Kevin ThomasMatch Commissary: Richard Nathan