FEMALE SEMIFINALS:
No Under 21 games are played on Wednesdays, so the curtain raiser was the Girls Semifinal game against Waterhouse who they hammered by 10 0 to almost certainly confirm their place in the final ahead of the return game.
PREMIER LEAGUE:
A game that will not go down in the annals as a “Classic matchups” reminiscent of the rich history of many epic battles over some thirty years that has been recorded between these two stalwarts of local football, the game petered out to an unexciting draw.
The second half resembled a rugby game with bodies strewn ever so often across the pitch punctuated regularly by the blasts from Referee Hughill Thompson’s whistle signaled forty five minutes of grit, agony and determination but lacking in skill, imagination and memorable moments that seemed
restricted to the first half only. Harbour View’s substitute Kevin King making his first appearance this season created some hope for the uneasy supporters, until he too was a victim of an assault on his rib cage from the knee of an over-zealous defender that left his sprawling on the turf for a long time before he too was being stretchered off to the hospital.
The high paced game started with an air of enthusiasm around the stadium as everyone settled in their seats to witness what promised much but delivered very little.
As if to make a statement to his National Head Coach, Carl Brown seated on the visitors bench, first
time National invitee, marksman Kavin Bryan, etched his name once more on the score-sheet in the sixteenth minute when his glancing back-header to Ricardo Smith’s well taken free-kick nestled in the goal far beyond Kirk Porter for the hosts to lead.
Blow for blow, within the crowded midfield passes were traded with regularity but completed as turnovers was the order of the day. The high press technique detracted from the free flowing encounter envisaged by the many spectators. Then on the stroke of the interval a quick dribble from Troy Dawes against the right touchline was shunted skillfully into the path of the slick striker George Vernal’s off the ball run to slip it by the advancing Dwayne Miller to score in minute 44.
The halftime 1-1 scoreline would add the last real spark to the game as Kavin Bryan firstly released Gregg Taylor whose shot flew high over the bar with goalkeeper Porter at his mercy. Then on the stroke of full time put it just out of the stride of Lennie Hyde Jr, inside the penalty box whose first time attempt was not under his full control as it drifted wide of the mark to keep the scores even.
By virtue of the result Harbour View now qualifies for the End of Round Finals next Sunday, November 19th against Waterhouse but before that both teams have strong opponents away from home this Sunday.
Harbour View travels to Tivoli Gardens at Railway Oval, while Waterhouse is just next door their West Kingston neighbours at Boys Town, on Collie Smith Drive.
OTHER SCORES:
(Home teams named first)
- Village 1 Naggo Head 0
- Wadadah 1 Tivoli 2
- Waterhouse 4 Seba 1
- Portmore 1 Arnett 0
- August Town 0 Reno 2
- HView 1 Boys Town 1