Marc Stamp | Jamaica Gleaner
Harbour View FC rebounded from poor form in the last two months for their first win, as they defeated Cavalier SC in the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) round 25 on Sunday night at Harbour View Stadium.
The home side scored a big 3-0 win courtesy of goals from Brian Brown in the seventh minute, Damarley Oliver (30th) and Damion Harwood (62nd).
BREAKING THE STREAK
Indeed, it was a welcome victory for Harbour View as they rebounded from a seven-game streak without a win. They climbed to second position on 42 points, just three off leaders Montego Bay United. Cavalier remained on 30 points in seventh position in the race for semi-final spots.
With the top four advancing to the last four following the completion of the preliminary rounds, the battle is intense and Harbour View’s victory pushed them into a favourable position for a spot.
In a clinical display, Brown opened the scoring to notch his 12th goal of the season. But it was the second goal that got the spectators on their feet and celebrating wildly. Oliver cannoned a shot from outside the area past Cavalier’s goalkeeper, Jovell Plunkett. That was Oliver’s first goal at the senior level.
Then Harwood, who recently returned from an overseas stint, sealed the deal with an easy header from a beautiful right-sided cross from midfield general Keith Kelly.
Coach of Harbour View FC, Harold Thomas, expressed relief after his team’s dominant display of attacking and defensive football in front of their loyal home supporters.
“I’m really happy for the win tonight,” Thomas told The Gleaner. “There was concern coming into the game based on previous results.
HARD WORK PAID OFF
“We worked hard in training and it paid off with a good victory at home,” Thomas added.
The coach also informed that they will now turn their attention to the upcoming Caribbean Football Union Club Championships, set to run from March 21-25 at Harbour View Stadium.
Meanwhile, Cavalier’s coach, David Laylor, praised Harbour View, but blamed his team’s loss on defensive errors.
“Well, Harbour View had a good game. However, our team disappointed as we made some simple blunders and that cost us the game,” Laylor assessed.
He added: “There are still eight games to go and we need to do better in order not to slide into the relegation zone.”