Fabian Taylor once again grabs the winner in the 48th minute.
Not a “Classic” by any means but the “Stars of the East” held their composure under constantly battling against a game challenge from defending Champions, the “Red Brigade” of Boy’s Town. Always wearing the lofty title of the “Best in the West” the champions from Collie Smith Drive worked feverishly to subdue the rampant attackers from the “East” as Kavin Bryan was roughly treated only to get back up and continue his determined burst goal wards unperturbed.
His dangerous strike partner Fabian Taylor would be denied as early as minute 18 when the ball fell to his feet just outside the six yards box but his toe-poke forward was blocked by the alert Fabian Watkins to earn a second corner only.
Then Bryan turned his marker to release his Captain, Lovel Palmer streaking down the left to shot just wide of the far upright, as the crowd mourned in high expectation of the first goal.
Boy’s Town had their moments as Peter Keyes and George Vernal tried to outwit the stable defensive backline lead by Christopher Harvey and Jermaine Taylor, as Oniel Smith supported and Robert Scarlett initiated possession and attacks. Dwayne Miller was hardly troubled in goal as Donald Stewart, Lovel Palmer and Richard Edwards nullified possession in midfield as Kemeel Wolfe flowed with Scarlett on the left flank.
The 49th minute would define the game as Smith found Edwards mid way the attacking half, for him to slide it forward by three yards searching for a pass. Or was he?
As everyone’s eyes swept the field far and wide, he unleashed a terrific shot from 27 yards into and then out of the grasp of the BT goalkeeper, Kirk Porter as Fabian Taylor was right on his doorstep to tap home for the game winner.
The quality of the game improved as some slick passing combinations littered the park as the crowd cheered but the crescendo would come later as National midfielder and Harbour View player, Jermaine Hue got up to warm.
He entered the fray to thunderous applause replacing the smooth attacker Wolfe after 71 minutes. A few simply passes were more than enough to entertain the jubilant Harbour View Supporters as the Team focused on the coordination in an effort to score a second goal.
Hue’s pass to Taylor on the left looked a curtain goal after Taylor tricked two defenders to pull the custodian to him only to see his delicate curler miss the upright. Bryan collected a Stewart slider which left him all alone with Porter at his mercy but his chip was well handled by Porter, to deny him any further advances in the score line.
Gregory Simpson substituted Scarlett, as did Richard West for Bryan as the end drew closer. Three minutes added time did not help any as the trophy was presented to the victors, in the Royal Box by Deveta McLaren, Marketing Officer of Sponsors Western Union.
Wild celebrations ensued, water splashing, hugging, kissing, running about the field stopping briefly for photo taking of precious moments with friends, well-wishers and fans before the Team picture was recorded.
Congratulations
Coach, Lennie Hyde, Max Straw, Andrew Hines, Manager, Annmarie Massey, Robert Lee, Karen Julius, Physio. Driver, Fuzzy hosted Equipment Managers, Dwayne “Brukey” and Jermaine alias Twinny” were in great spirits.
RED STRIPE CHAMPIONS CUP KNOCKOUT:
We travel to St. Elizabeth early tomorrow for the return game against Down’s FC in the Red Stripe All Island Champions Cup Knockout who we defeated 4-0 in the first leg at home last week.
END OF SECOND ROUND FINALS:
Sunday we travel again this time to St. Elizabeth Technical High School to seek a Special Trophy on our 33rd Anniversary date, the End of Second Round Final against Reno at 3pm.