An astonishing strike from Captain and midfield maestro, Jermaine Hue in the 89th minute broke the hearts of the “Jungilists” as he donned his captain’s cape, the crusader worked his magic to get away from long time shadow-marker Cornel Chin-Sue before unleashing a left-footed scorcher that bobbled ahead of it flying past the full blooded dive of the ever-reliable Julian McLeish in goal and lodging agonizingly easy into the far rat-hole.
Cheers from the Harbour View bench erupted, President Sydney Masters jumped out of his chair and the band of supporters who had journeyed across town were elated as the end seemed near for a much needed victory in the last four games.
This completed the come from behind recovery of the team that kept trying after conceding an early third minute goal as Leon Strickland nodded in a speculative cross from the left by sneaking in between two defenders who tried to block for the un-coming goalkeeper who was fractionally late.
1-0 at halftime at the Anthony Spaulding Complex is a dubious task for many a team but not so the“Stars of the East” who has had many crunching battles at this venue over the years, and oh, how those experiences served Hue well tonight as his rose majestically to the occasion.
The comeback trail was started in the 51st minute when Marcelino “Bassa” Blackburn, a hometown hero turned in a slider at the back-post, from halftime substitute, Rafiek “Fari” Thomas on the right after he had latched on to a bumming square from Lance Laing.
Long in coming the entire second half was dominated by the coordination from the interplay of the midfield quartet of Hue, Richard Edwards, Kemeel Wolfe and Blackburn as Thomas and Laing were ever-present with searing runs inside and outside down the left and right that were punctuated by long range shots and menacing squares at regular intervals.
When Lovel Palmer was switched from midfield to right wing back the ploy was two-fold and sustained with a clear motive to destroy all blockades in “enemy-territory” in search of the vital three points and morale-boosting victory.
The long-standing Arnett Gardens hierarchy and supporters were hopefully preparing themselves for a draw as they reluctantly accepted their fate, that all may not go their way tonight although recently buoyed by a season best three game winning streak.
Then the National player struck while receiving a seven yards pass from Thomas who was played in by Richard “The Rock” Edwards, who dominated ball winning stats all night.
A large crowd filled out of the stadium disappointed that the winning streak was broken but delighted at a most entertaining game of football at the complex that will be talked about for many years to come.
OTHER SCORES:
- Reno 4 Waterhouse 1
- Village United 0 Sporting Central Academy 1
- Rivoli United 1 Tivoli Gardens 0
- St. George’s SC 0 Portmore United 0
- Meadhaven United 1 Boy’s Town 1
On Friday, Harbour View FC hosts Reno in a Under 21 encounter and Sunday we travel away to Tivoli Gardens at the Edward Seaga Complex.