Rafiek Thomas in his first starting role for the season was good enough in the 13th minute to head pass Tivoli’s Captain and goalkeeper, Leon Gordon and seal the top of the table victory.
The methodical build up through the three left-sided players, Blackburn, Hue and Lance Laing saw Laing’s accurate cross lodge on the head of the pencil-thin striker around the penalty spot to deflect it away from Gordon into the far post to score the all-important goal.
The former Tivoli Gardens youth player was over-joyed to score his first goal of the season after being the provider in the last two games for strike partner Blackburn. He should have doubled his tally in the 53rd but hesitated after beating the second defender and was dispossessed inside the box.
The game was intense throughout befitting a final as sparks flew regularly, four yellow cards were issued, three head-to-clashes occurred with two players completing the game with bandages wrapped around their heads like turbans. Captain Jermaine Hue left the field for almost 15 minutes in total as twice he had to replace the stained bandage to his bleeding head that occurred from the 6th minute of play when Damion Gordon’s arial challenge resulted in the Tivoli Player being substituted and a second players tackle on him renewed the draining of blood.
It was a fierce rivalry that referee Howard Stennett, fought tooth-n-nail to stay in control of, it was all out war of football wills for valuable points, that in the end stayed at the Compound with the “Stars of the East” still leading the league on 17 points.
The more aggressive Tivoli players mounted numerous attacks on the youthful Harbour View squad but unmoved they remained resolute under the leadership of Hue, Oniel Smith, Jomo Gordon and Richard Edwards to thwart all advances, shrug of the physical barbs and deploy good tactical awareness to secure another victory.
Then with the clock ticking down with four minutes of time added on, Jermaine Hue’s counter-attack released substitute Girvan Brown who headed goalward but was robbed as he was about to score after beating the advancing goalkeeper Gordon to keep the scoreline at 1-0 in favour of the hosts.
Next Sunday, is a LIVE television Game at 4pm at the Harbour View Stadium against Sporting Central Academy.
UNDER 21:
On Friday, the defending Under 21 Champions Harbour View defeated Boy’s Town at Collie Smith Drive by 1-0, courtesy of Damion Anderson in the 90th minute.