The Digicel Premier League was highlighted with a spectacular top of the table clash last evening as the “Stars of the East” and “Firehouse” blazed a trail of enticing football, as the well supported fixture was kept entertained until the final whistle.
Harbour View was pleased with their ebb-and-flow of their tactical game plan but not so with the goal-scoring form, leaving them with a point instead of the deserved three as numerous chances were blocked by National custodian, Richard McCallum and a few others went off mark.
A strong start from the homesters produced an early break-through from Kavin Bryan but his near post shot was deflected for a corner as his strike partner Andre Fagan presented an option at the back post.
Lovel Palmer later controlled under pressure, turned and struck a solid left-footer that was pounced on by McCallum. Hue’s freekick, midway the half found Fagan wide on the outside of the defensive wall and his one-time side-footer was again pushed for another corner.
Hue’s direct freekick was saved on the goal line as McCallum clutched it two handed but he was left in total dis-orientation when a 32 yard bomb was unleashed from Hue’s favourite left foot as it crashed against the crossbar overhead to rebound into outside the penalty area in the 38 minute.
The Waterhouse attacking jugernaut that had just smashed six goals on Sunday was slowed to a controlled stroll by a well organized unit lead by Richard Edwards, Dicoy Williams, Lennox Wright, Ronnie Amaguana new starter on the left Davioen Woodhouse and the outstanding goalkeeper Dwayne Miller.
No opportunity was created and none was given in the first 45 minutes of gripping football action.
As the second half begun, the local Media and football circles buzzed with anticipation as the word filtered through the league that top striker, Denzil “Harry Bulla” Watson had moved across town from Boy’s Town to the “Stars of the East” , very late inside the transfer window.
He entered the field of play around the hour mark to loud appreciative applause from the large home crowd but was left cursing his luck as outstanding goalkeeping from Richard McCallum first denied his first touch effort on goal, then when Jermaine Hue worked his way by a mazy run through four midfielders before slipping him a clear opportunity inside the area, Watson shunted it past McCallum but it dribbled by the left upright to deny him a perfect debut.
Kemeel Wolfe bears his name appropriately as he swivelled and “turned on a dime” adding his own brand of stylized ball possession to the fore while posing a variation to the attacking force that roared forward in search of victory.
Marcelino Blackburn got the faintest of touches from his forehead that glanced wide from 14 yards as Hue’s teasing free-kick offered another sniff but not fire.
Late entry Jomo Gordon tried to hurry into the goalmouth scramble but time ran out of his to pull-off the winning act as Lovel Palmer’s last minute effort at the far post to a Woodhouse corner came as the whistle signaled the end of an intriguing contest deprived of goals only to make it a match of the season.
Harbour View plays Portmore United next Sunday in the second Rounds final game, Live on Television Jamaica but before that the defending Champions of the KSAFA Western Union Jackie Bell Knockout Semifinals is three days away at the Tony Spaulding Complex at 6pm against Meadhaven United.
OTHER RESULTS:
- Tivoli Gardens FC 4 Sporting Central Academy 1
- Arnett Gardens FC 1 Village United 1
- Boys Town FC 2 Portmore United 1
- Reno FC 0 St. George’s SC 1
- Meadhaven United 0 Rivioli United 0