FORMER champions Harbour View were lynched at the Spanish Town Prison Oval by Kemar Beckford’s double strike in their Red Stripe Premier League encounter on Sunday.
Two nightmare substitutions by Harbour View head coach Andrew Hines significantly contributed to his team’s 0-2 loss to Rivoli United, who have opened up an enterprising battle for the fourth and final play-off spot.
Harbour View started the day in fourth spot and saw their five-point advantage over the chasing pack reduced to just two points in what is shaping up to be an intriguing battle among five teams at the moment.
Harbour View, winless in their last four games, remained in fourth spot on 34 points, two behind third-placed Montego Bay United. But more worryingly, just two points above both Rivoli United and Tivoli Gardens on 32 points.
With the game interestingly poised at 0-0, Hines rang the changes, replacing the powerful McKaulley Tulloch with Jermie Lynch in the 70th minute, but six minutes later Lynch was heading to the dressing room and the advantage significantly swung in favour of Rivoli United.
Lynch had committed a foul and referee Danian Parchment went across initially to show him the yellow card, but in the process of calling the player towards him to show him the card, Lynch was red-carded for what the referee said was abusive language in the 76th minute.
The home team now playing with a man extra, took control of the game and Kemar Beckford nodded home a Kemar Bennett corner just four minutes later in the 80th minute.
Former national midfielder Jermaine Hue was called to duty in minute 77, replacing Steve Brodricks, but his diagonal cross was intercepted by substitute Ross Burton, who passed to Beckford who fired home in time added on.
It was a crucial win for Rivoli United as they reignited their play-off hopes and head coach, Calvert Fitzgerald, was pleased.
“It reignited our semi-final push because we are coming off a three-game losing streak. We had some problems during the transfer window because a lot of teams were sniffing at our players and it got them distracted and I don’t think we did a good job at preparing them for those eventualities,” Fitzgerald revealed.
“We realised our mistakes and started to work on them psychologically and got them refocused and it seemed to have paid off today,” he noted.
“It was a very balanced game, but I would say we edged it in terms of opportunities created, but some of the times we played too much long balls. But every time we passed the ball around we looked the better team,” added Fitzgerald.
Meanwhile for Hinds, it was a game he will want to forget quickly with Rivoli United , Tivoli Gardens and Humble Lion all breathing down their necks for the final play-off spot.
“We know we are flirting with danger so we have to pull our socks up and work at it and see how we can maintain our position,” said Hinds.
“It was a disappointing game. I think we played well in spurts. We had our moments, we had our chances but it was unfortunate that we didn’t score. Rivoli of course at home played well, they came out with a purpose. It wasn’t a smooth game for them, but they played with guts, they got their chances and they scored,” said Hinds.
Rivoli United — Shannon Bartley, Zavian Williams (Fabian Gordon 62nd), Troy Moulton, Jermaine Henry, Keith Wright, Kemar Bennett, Raymond Williamson (Fabian Gordon 86th), Jermey Nelson, Davion Garrison (Kenny Lee 74th), Kemar Beckford, Cory Burke.
Subs not used: Marlon Henry, Orlando Stewart, Jermaine Whyte, Valentine Gardener.
Booked: Troy Moulton (45th)
Coach: Calvert Fitzgerald
Harbour View — Levor Williams, Damarley Oliver, Christopher Harvey, Daminan Anderson, Mark Miller, Jorginho James, Nicholas Beckett, John Ross Edwards (Kevaughn Frater 70th), Anthony Greenland, McKaulley Tulloch (Jermie Lynch 70th), Steve Broderick (Jermaine Hue 77th).
Subs not used: Michaud Barrett, Dejanni Isaacs, Savian Maxwell, Anthony Marks.
Booked: Red card: Lynch 76th
Coach: Andrew Hines
Referee: Danian Parchment
Assistant referees: Garnett Page, Nicholas Anderson
Fourth Official: Oshane Nation
Match Commissary: Uken Campbell