After weeks of delays caused by Hurricane Gustav and then football political issues being ironed out between the JFF and the PLCA, finally the players got to play.
A special celebration of FIFA Fair Play Day 2008 was celebrated with a message read by the venue announcer, followed by a delivery by both Team Captains jointly reading a declaration as Ball-boys played their part bearing a Banner of ONE LOVE, ONE PEACE, wristbands worn by both teams and the Officials completed the ceremonies at each game.
The fair sized crowd were treated to an early goal as others arrived, the host launched an initial attack from the kickoff that created problems inside the opponents penalty area as Mitchily Waul was hacked to the ground from behind as Referee Bogle instantly pointed to the spot.
Captain, Jermaine Hue stepped up and converted with precise placement into the right corner to grab the early lead in the second minute.
Probing passes, good teamwork and slick ball movement created breakaways by Keith Kelly then Kavin Bryan but both were thwarted by good goalkeeping by Goalkeeper, Elvis Hart.
The game quickly deteriorated into a physical encounter as the strong tackles were going unpunished by the referee as it continued four cautions were issued but HVFC Richard Edwards was stretchered-off on three occasions before been replaced by young Nicholas Beckett, at the 37th minute when dazzled by a boot to the face in the centre-circle as again referee Bogle failed to see and failed to act.
Losing focus the multi-nationals of Village United never created goalscoring opportunities and the hosts held on with better team organization to retain the scoreline at 1-0 at the halftime.
Refocused on playing an improved team game, The Stars of the East revved up the tempo of the game as the tactics were altered into attacking mode from the outset and Village seemed locked on physicality.
It was an error in judgment that caused an avalanche of attacking waves inside the visitors half which was consistent, intense and penetrating that lead to the second goal resulting when the initial two shots at goal were blocked but the ball bounced back outside the area as Lovel Palmer controlled and then smacked a clean right-footed grounder through the crowd, as Kavin Bryan opened his feet to deceive the goalkeeper as it rocketed into the far corner of the net in the 56th minute.
The heat then was turned up a notch or two, as the hard running on and off the ball started flowing as the confidence lifted the skillful Keith Kelly was substituted by the wily midfielder, Kemeel Wolfe who never missed a beat.
Under pressure the Village United team showed signs of fatigue and the hungry host went aggressively for the juggler and snatched it late in the game as both strikers drew blood in two minutes with two bites at-the-death.
Mitchily Waul was released inside the area when Wolfe and Wooley combined down the right in the 88th minute. The ball was won back a minute later as Jermaine Hue released Kavin Bryan down the right before he smashed a thunderbolt inside the near post as the crowd that had now grown, roared their approval as the game ended on a high note sending home the fans with a convincing victory to start the season and hope to continue and improve throughout.
A tough, first away game at the St, Georges SC fortress of Lynch Park in Portland on a midweek fixture will be a stern test on Wednesday in the second set of matches.
OTHER RESULTS:
- Boy’s Town FC 1 Arnett Gardens 0
- Sporting Central 2 Reno 1
- Tivoli Gardens 1 Meadhaven United 1
- Portmore United 2 Rivoli 0
- Waterhouse 1 St. Georges SC 1
Below: Opening ceremony with FIFA Fair Play Banner in background / Village and Harbour View captains jointly reading the FIFA Fair Play Day declaration
