The “Stars of the East” miss countless goal-scoring opportunities to win narrowly.
UNDER 21:
Goals by twin strikers Lawrence Smith and newly returning National Under 17, 20 and 23 representative now Captain, Richard West helped us to a gripping 2-2 draw away to the “Colour Red”.
Smith converted the only goal scored in the first half when he scored from the penalty spot after West was hacked down while he advanced goal-ward. A desperate all out attacking ploy by the hosts paid off handsomely when they struck twice within five minutes, late in the second half only to see Harbour View hit back in minute 84 through West heading home.
A last minute series of passes petered-out inside the penalty area when both Harbour View players failed to communicate properly and as a result not take the clear shot gifted to them through the industry of their team-mates.
PREMIER LEAGUE:
A blistering start that created no fewer than four real goal-scoring opportunities for Harbour View within the first 20 minutes were all wasted, only to see Boys Town player Denzil Watson, counter-attack and capitalize on poor defensive organization to shoot into a virtually empty goal after 23 minutes.
Seemingly awaken to the reality, striker Fabian Taylor quickly restored the balance when he struck a clean swerving shot into the goal from 20 yards seven minutes later.
The lead was assumed in the 41st minute when Kavin Bryan burst away from the defender down the left to square as Kemeel Wolfe glanced it home inside the far post to lead at halftime, with National Coach “Velibor “Bora” Mulitinovic in attendance.
The dominance was continued in the second half as Bryan again outran the defender this time he picked his spot sweetly beside the custodian to score his ninth goal this season. 3-1 in the 55th minute, the game seemingly over the visitors continued to press forward.
When Captain Lovel Palmer hit home a beautiful volley 7 minutes later after running by two defenders it spelt disaster as the temperatures raised. The entire crowd including the Boys Town bench, was stunned when referee Hughill Thompson signaled offside?
Another defensive miscue in clearing left forward, George Vernal all alone with the ball inside the penalty area to shot past the now stranded goalkeeper Dwayne Miller to score 3-2 and restore some respectability to the scoreline only as the game was truly over sometime ago.
Harbour View is now the first qualifier for the End of Second Round Final with 23 points. Our next game closes the Round against Tivoli Gardens on Sunday but may change to Monday based on the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Congress on Sunday.
OTHER SCORES:
- Portmore United 2 Arnett Gardens 0
- Reno 2 August Town 1
- Seba United 2 Waterhouse 1
- Tivoli Gardens 0 Wadadah 0
- Nago Head 1 Village United 0