Reported by Sports Analyst, Clyde Jureidini
The fairly decent crowd at Jamaica College Ashenheim Complex could hope to see tactical maneuvers from the 2 technical teams, but may have left disappointed. The game started in the usual HVFC versus Portmore United fashion. Both units showed equal respect by playing in a cagey manner.
Portmore United edges Harbour View FC again this season
Unfortunately for Harbour View FC, this round 2 match-up had an identical result to the round 1 contest at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex. The latter game included a conversion from the penalty spot by Portmore United’s Emelio Rosseau to win 1-0 after a hand-ball by HVFC Captain and defender, Ryan Wellington. The all-important goal of this 2nd-round encounter was by Alex Marshall in minute 24. He tapped the ball home after goalkeeper Anthony ‘Deco’ Bennett parried Lamar Walker’s right-footed, 23-yard shot into Marshall’s path. Portmore United 1 – 0 Harbour View FC.
Harbour View’s Cristojaye Daley matched Portmore United’s Alex Marshall for skillsets late in the game; both teased the fans with glimpses of excellence. A number of telling dribbles but equal failures to finish didn’t leave much more to enjoy during play besides the lone goal.
Off-Target Aim
The highly-anticipated football spectacle never really materialized. It was a dull display of misguided long balls flew aimlessly from 1 defensive unit to the other― headed on, chased, but never connecting. Patrons ‘kissed teeth’ in deep frustration; the launching of numerous scud-like missiles decorated the uptown Liguanea landscape.
Harbour View FC broke forward first with a series of short passes orchestrated by Rojay Smith. He roamed the attacking areas with purpose before setting up the overlapping Odorland Harding, but Harding’s 2 penetrative runs into the goal area never had a scoring end product. A searing left-sided dead ball by Timar Lewis was missed at the far post by 2 teammates. He later returned with a corner from the other side but Captain Wellington headed it over the crossbar in attempt to get it on target.
Dull Display
Multiple 45-55 yards diagonal balls were introduced by Portmore United veteran Rudolf Austin to trouble the attacking leftback, Harding. Crosses behind by Portmore would form a pattern of play, as far too many to count were slung in high repetition; they were well handled by Harbour View’s central defenders. The slingfest exploded ad nauseam.
Multiple substitutes trekked on and off the field to add optimism to a game that long lost its lustre. Football as an art never survived the onslaught of the “long ball zingers” reminiscent of dark days in previous-century English football. The match dragged on begging for the referee’s whistle. Portmore United eventually burst in cheers of victory with a valuable 3 points and a clean sheet.