HARBOUR View’s manager Vin Blaine was pleased with his team’s defending after they eked out a crucial 1-0 victory over Waterhouse in Sunday’s third round Digicel Premier League clash at the mini-stadium.
“We defended stoutly and I think that was the difference in the game… we didn’t concede any goals so we must be satisfied with that. That’s the aim; to score and not let the opponents score and I think we defended well.
“Whenever Harbour View and Waterhouse play it’s always going to be a tough game and I think the early goal that we scored helped us… (to) settled down a bit,” he said.
The all-important goal came in the seventh minute when defender Christopher Harvey rose majestically and unchallenged to power into the net from Jermaine Hue’s pin-point corner kick.
The reigning champions Harbour View, who are currently on an eight-game unbeaten run, moved to second in the standings on 45 points, while Waterhouse continued their dismal run since an impressive first round and remained two points behind in fifth.
Both teams started positively on a patchy surface in east Kingston in the early exchanges, and despite Harvey’s well-taken goal, the visitors remained composed and launched a series of attacks in search of the equaliser.
Harbour View were not to be outdone and triggered a few counters of their own before they consolidated late on and held on desperately to keep the one-goal advantage.
Waterhouse coach Baris Johnson, while disappointed with the loss, was happy with the way his team rallied after going behind so early in the game.
“I’m not too disappointed in the way we played because I think we did well after we conceded a soft goal. I think we dominated the game from there, but it is just unfortunate we didn’t get on the score sheet.
“We are in good shape and in good form and I think we fought hard so it’s unfortunate we came out on the losing end. We need to get a little bit more movement off the ball and if we had that we perhaps would have been able to open them up a bit,” he said.
TEAMS:
Harbour View — Michard Barrett, Dicoy Williams, Montrose Phinn, Christopher Harvey, Kimorllie Brissett, Fabian Campbell, Marcelino Blackburn, Kemeel Wolfe (Lamar Nelson 67th), Jermaine Hue (Nicholas Beckett 84th), Ranique Muir (Andre Steele 76th), Lennox Creary.
Subs not used: Devon Haughton, Lamar Hodges, Clifton Waugh, Elton Thompson
Booked: Brissett (56th)
Waterhouse — Richard McCallum, Keneil Moodie, Odain Simpson, Stephen Williams (Kenardo Forbes 68th), Rohan Amos, Weston Forrest, Hugh Howell, Vincent Earl, Jason Watson (Akeem Thenstead 87th), Jonathan Williams, Jermaine Anderson (Peter Keyes 68th).
Subs not used: Dwight Lewis, Ashani Walker, Joel Messam, Jermaine Fletcher
Booked: Amos (55th), Howell (67th), Forrest (90+3)
Referee: Kevin Morrison
Assistants: Lloyd Reader and Damion Williams
Fourth Official: Doyen Tummings
Match Commissary: Richard Nathan