Sean Williams | Jamaica Observer
HARBOUR View delivered themselves like true champions at the mini-stadium on Sunday.
Their passing game was slick and smooth. Perfect, even.
Their young bunch of players appears high on something. Perhaps it is that intoxicating, but delightful evening breeze that caresses the Compound precincts. At this time of year, it is especially sweet and cool. The players — home and visitors alike — relished it. Harbour View more so, it would appear.
In the final analysis, maybe their inspiration comes from somewhere else. But whatever the source, Harold Thomas’s lads need to keep drinking from that fountain.
With a first-half marked by sublime football — skilfully orchestrated by Nicholas Beckett, Joel Senior, Keith Kelly, Kemar Lawrence, Xavian Virgo, McKauley Tulloch and the league’s leader in goals, Brian Brown — Harbour View were looking down on the opposition from heavenly realms.
Their attacking rage looked so awesome that some expected a deluge in this Red Stripe Premier League feature. But as it turned out, it took only one goal — one great goal made in heaven. A goal so exquisite and rare, that most kingpins of the game — past and present — have only scored in their dreams and fantasies.
But Brian Brown, the Harbour View target man, made it look so easy, executing with efficient ease an overhead kick inside the Arnett box that had the goalkeeper soundly beaten and gathering defenders caught unawares.
That he had too much room in the penalty area to carry out such a disdainful act in minute 34 is neither here nor there. The sheer brilliance of the move should absolve all from blame. A masterpiece to be admired even by the players punished by it.
The lofted ball into the box was temptation of the highest order, and Brown yielded. Rising majestically with back to goal, he delivered his venom for his 10th goal of the season.
Even he was wide-eyed and speechless by the class act, that at the end, he dashed for the dressing room before this reporter could catch him.
At game’s end, Arnett Gardens coach Jerome Waite did not hide his admiration of the beauty.
“I must give Harbour View credit as they have done well and scored a well-executed goal,” he said.
In other promising offensive moves, all duly overshadowed by Brown’s wonder goal, the victors had the bulk of them.
In the seventh minute, Brown’s dangerous header was plucked off the line by Arnett custodian, Damion Hyatt.
Five minutes later, another seamless link involving the players of the three areas of field ended with Senior’s blast being helped over the horizontal.
In minute 23, the Harbour View sway continued when John-Ross Edwards laid a sweet pass for Beckett to run on to, but the final effort did not offer justice.
For Arnett, Newton Sterling was a clear and present danger with a couple of pile-drivers, and was a constant aerial threat with his skyscraper of a frame.
“I think it was a very good game, and based on the reaction of the spectators, I think they enjoyed it,” said victorious coach Thomas.
“Certainly, the high point of the game had to be the goal.” That goes without saying.
The win moves Harbour View to 33 points and extends their lead at the top by six points over trailing Montego Bay United.
By the loss, Arnett Gardens stay on 18 points and have dropped to eighth position.
They came into Sunday’s match-up with high-profile wins over Tivoli Gardens (2-1) and Waterhouse (3-0) in back-to-back meetings.
TEAMS: Harbour View — Michaud Barrett, Xavian Virgo, Clifton Waugh, Nicholas Beckett, Kemar Lawrence (Damarley Oliver 70th), McKauley Tulloch, Keith Kelly (Kevaughn Frater 89th) Joel Senior, John-Ross Edwards, Dicoy Williams, Brian Brown.
Subs not used: R Patterson, S Dewar, R Mui, J Durrant, D Edwards.
Booked: Kelly (42nd)
Arnett Gardens — Damion Hyatt, Odain Simpson, Oneil Thompson, Vishinul Harris (Fabian Reid 80th), Jabeur Johnson, Jarod Richards, Jarmar Jackson, Kimorlee Brissett (Raffique Bryan 63rd), Kenniel Hyde (Kirk Ramsey 71st), Newton Sterling, Kemar Malcolm.
Subs not used: P Harris, M Webb, L Strickland, J Martin.
Booked: Jackson (28th), Simpson (56th), Thompson (78th)
Referee: Karl Tyrell
Assistant Referees: Keeble Williams, Oyinco McTaggart
Fourth Official: Kevin Thomas
Match Commissary: Charley Barrett