Harbour View FC got their first victory in 6 games with a convincing 3 – 1 scoreline at home against Cavalier SC who were coming into the encounter off a 3-game winning streak. After a goalless first half which consisted of a handful of tame saves and wayward shots to goal, the players returned to the pitch with more enthusiasm and organization.
The 3 Harbour View scorers of the night all had one thing in common: they found the net in their first home game after returning to the island to play in the golden yellow and royal blue colours.
Jorginho James, who was away at the MLS Combine last week, opened the scoring in minute 52 after he received a 32 yards diagonal pass from Captain Nicholas Beckett allowing him to run into the box then fake his opponent to knock the ball in at the far post. Five minutes later HVFC international Brian Brown, who returned from a loan deal with North American Soccer League (NASL) team Indy Eleven, clinically finished a cross from a consistent Martin Davis. John-Ross Edwards played consistently well all night, and almost got his name on the scoresheet but the pace of his run on the ball in the box was too much and sent it just wide of the target in minute 80.
Both goalscorers were substituted in the 75th and 83rd minutes, with Jorginho making way for Rojay Smith and Brian for Kevaughn Frater, who was also at last week’s MLS Combine. Frater was fouled on his first touch on the field and awarded a free kick which he took the liberty of striking, deflecting off a head from the defensive wall for a corner kick. That corner would be taken by Mark Miller and was connected with a downward header by Frater to send the ball through the legs of Cavalier custodian Carlloyd Walters and beyond the goal line to tally goal number 3. With 4 minutes of time added to play, Cavalier’s Dwyane Smith found a consolation from a corner kick in the first added minute to deny GK Mark Bryan his well-desired clean sheet and finally give the visiting fans something to cheer about.
At the blow of the whistle, the home team and fans heavily breathed a sigh of relief, getting a long-awaited win under their belt to kick-start the New Year.
Teams
Harbour View: Mark Bryan, Montrose Phinn, Fabian Grant, Rosario Harriott, Mark Miller, Sheldon McKoy, Martin Davis, Jorginho James (Rojay Smith 75′), Nicholas Beckett (Joel Senior 83′), John-Ross Edwards, Brian Brown (Kevaughn Frater 83′)
Subs not used: Akeem Smith, Claudious Blackburn, Stephen Barnett, Damarley Oliver
Cavalier SC: Carlloyd Walters, Shawn Lawes, Chevone Marsh, Shamar Smith, Cleon Pyrce, Andre Dawson, Akino Sadler (Nicholas Hamilton 76′), Norman Bailey (Dawyne Smith 68′), Jeffery Henry (Ryan Miller 67′), Jason Watson, Kamoy Simpson
Subs not used: Raheem Ellis, Jeffery Grant, Courtney Dowdie, Aldaine Grant
*Celebration photos by Yardie Sports