An afternoon that promised a new Champion belatedly crown the “Stars of the East” not in their clash with relegated bound Naggo Head but in a strange twist of faith, when dethroned Champions Waterhouse scored against second placed Portmore United, with only nine minutes left in the late game at Drewsland.
Eleven points separates the leaders but with Portmore United faltering in their fourth consecutive drawn game (0-0,2-2,2-2-1-1) effectively put themselves out of the running for the title (on 55 points) and have to be more productive in securing a few victories in the last three games less they are also bypassed by the lurking Reno FC who are on 53 points and challenging for a place in the CFU Caribbean Club Championship.
Harbour View by virtue of the results of today’s games have assumed an unassailable lead of 10 points with only a best possible 9 points on claim, this sparked a spontaneous celebration by the players glued to the Live Radio Broadcast at the Club.
Horns started tooting, banging on signboards, shouts, cries and screams were bellowed from the greatest heights as relief was achieved and finally, finally we exhaled after the trauma of last years poor finish.
The Xzibit crew cranked up the disco as wild dancing erupted on the dance-floor, players, coaches, managers and executives were severely doused with water as liquor flowed sweetly, smiles adorned the faces of the many long suffering fans, media personalities and supporters as TVJ filmed every active moment of it inclusive of interviews.
At midnight the crowd slowly started treking home as the party is to be continued in earnest on Sunday as the Live TV home game against Trelawny’s Village United where an official presentation of the Premier League Trophy, Medals and the necessary pomp and pageantry that accompanies it.
Captain, Lovel Palmer robbed the defender of the ball before eluding the goalkeeper with a neat chip to score the all important first goal after 30 minutes.
Kenardo Forbes slipped his marker to bury his scorcher at the near post from just inside the area with 72 minutes elapsed on the clock. Harbour View totally dominated the second half but missed many opportunities to score as anxiety determined failure to convert. When we did convert twice both were disallowed even as the Television replays displayed perfect timing of the final run of Lovel Palmer.
Kavin Bryan and Jermaine Hue came closest twice as they beat the defence and shot onto the upright as well as headed just over the bar while Fabian Taylor’s goal-bound shot was clearly handled inside the penalty area but no penalty was awarded.
Sometimes destiny overpowers efforts and as we congratulate Coach, Wayne Fairclough who prepared his troops to fight to the very end.
The slightly off-beat tempo of the new Champions reflected the pressure of the moment across the league as four out of five games ended in draws as only Boy’s Town notched a 3-1 victory over neighbours Arnett Gardens.
Preparations for celebration takes the order of the day while a new disciplined dimension comes into effect in the next three games. These including Village United and Wadadah at home on Sunday and Wednesday respectively followed by the much awaited grudge match against Reno at St. Elizabeth Technical High School on Sunday, April 29th, 2007 to end the season on a high.
OTHER RESULTS:
- Boy’s Town 3 Arnett Gardens 1
- Waterhouse 1 Portmore United 1
- August Town 0 Tivoli Gardens 0
- Seba United 0 Reno 0
- Today Village United tackles Wadadah at the Elliston
- Wakeland Centre in Trelawny at 3:30pm.