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HARBOUR VIEW SCORES AN EMPHATIC VICTORY OVER “OLE FOES” BOYS’ TOWN TO GRAB A LIFELINE IN THE DPL TITLE RACE ON D-DAY!
The “Stars of the East” shone through difficult circumstances to outscore their greatest adversary, the gallant “Colour Red” Boys’ Town when it mattered most to keep their slender title hopes alive, at the Compound. The crowd were unsure what to expect, as Boys’ Town had created a new style this season of defeating Harbour View at home on two occasions (1-0,2-0) including knocking them out of the prestigious FLOW Champions Cup before going on to win that trophy for the first time. On the third occasion, in Round One of the DPL, it ended in a goaless stalemate. The record indicated that on the three occasions Harbour View had not scored a single goal and not tasted victory at home against them. In stalk contrast however, Harbour View has defeated them twice at their own “ Collie Smith Drive” grounds by scores of 1-0 and 3-1.
Today was another in the long series of high tension encounters as third placed Harbour View on 65 points, faced a must-win scenario to have any chance of winning the title and Boys’ Town 57 points, with little or no pressure to finish fourth or possibly fifth at worst. The only difference was it is crunch time and across the neighbouring parish of St. Catherine a “Battle-Royal” ragged with leaders Portmore United three points ahead on 70 points were confronted by title aspirants Tivoli Gardens on 68 points, and looking for their scalps to takeover the leadership at the most crucial stage of the competition. That game ended in a 0-0 draw…Portmore 71 and Tivoli 69 points with a game to go on Sunday at 4pm all games are played simultaneously. Coaches Donovan "DV" Hayles and Andrew Price, were both ready to pit their match plans against each other, as they stood toe-to-toe on the sidelines. It was the moment to stand up and be counted.
Referee, Dave Peterkin signalled the start of the match at 7.05pm as Harbour View kicked-off towards the east with authority, as Captain Jermaine Hue stroked the ball left-side to Marcelino Blackburn as they moved into the opponents half adventurously. Soon, in minute six, a ball bobbled about inside the penalty area as it lingered about from a corner-kick an attempted clearance found the waiting right boot of defender Wayne Ellis to notch his third goal of the season from about eight yards. 1-0 Boys’ Town and the traveling supporters frantically celebrated with Ellis.
Harbour View’s disciplined approach worked the ball around in search of the correct possessional rhythm as their three early efforts on goal needed greater accuracy to penetrate custodian, Kirk Porter. Kemar Lawrence released Jomo Gordon but first contact carried him wide before squaring, Hue released Andre Faygan who shot wide of the right upright from 22 yards and then Lawrence’s bobbling shot was turned wide by Faygan in an attempt to beat the diving goalkeeper. But the young attackers would have their say! Minute 21 was the opportunity for Faygan (20 years) to notch the first goal as it bounced around in the six yard box, three players kicked and missed as the slippery turf after heavy afternoon rains caused unforced errors but a gleeful Faygan would celebrate his second goal in the last two games. Harbour View FC 1 Boys’ Town FC 1. Young (20 years) Kemar “Baggio” Lawrence, would also join the party in minute 27 as he too turned in another good move from the edge of the box to assert themselves as leaders. His second goal in three games.
Lovel Palmers’ shot from 24 yards sailed inches over the crossbar, after the Jermaine Hue freekick was rolled into his path. The second half tactic was focused on midfield dominance by Harbour View as Boys’ Town lost patience and concentration without the ball as four players were booked for rough tackles. One real challenging effort unfolded from the boys from Collie Smith Drive, as a rasping drive from Xavian Virgo was squeezed from just inside Dwayne Miller’s near post then smartly kicked away from the approaching forward, as he fell back into the goal-netting.
Harbour View managed the remainder of the game well enough to stave off any anxious moments but not really creating many other scoring opportunities to gain three valuable points, advancing closer to the leaders on 68 points….with Portmore United to play on Sunday, 4pm at the Harbour View Stadium. Tivoli Gardens is at home to the dangerous Arnett Gardens FC on 56 points and seeking to overtake Boys’ Town in a race for fourth place. Coach Donovan "DV" Hayles allowed himself to crack a smile, knowing fully well the real battle is on Sunday...D-DAY!!
The Grand Finale, has at long last arrived.
The “Stars of the East” shone through difficult circumstances to outscore their greatest adversary, the gallant “Colour Red” Boys’ Town when it mattered most to keep their slender title hopes alive, at the Compound. The crowd were unsure what to expect, as Boys’ Town had created a new style this season of defeating Harbour View at home on two occasions (1-0,2-0) including knocking them out of the prestigious FLOW Champions Cup before going on to win that trophy for the first time. On the third occasion, in Round One of the DPL, it ended in a goaless stalemate. The record indicated that on the three occasions Harbour View had not scored a single goal and not tasted victory at home against them. In stalk contrast however, Harbour View has defeated them twice at their own “ Collie Smith Drive” grounds by scores of 1-0 and 3-1.
Today was another in the long series of high tension encounters as third placed Harbour View on 65 points, faced a must-win scenario to have any chance of winning the title and Boys’ Town 57 points, with little or no pressure to finish fourth or possibly fifth at worst. The only difference was it is crunch time and across the neighbouring parish of St. Catherine a “Battle-Royal” ragged with leaders Portmore United three points ahead on 70 points were confronted by title aspirants Tivoli Gardens on 68 points, and looking for their scalps to takeover the leadership at the most crucial stage of the competition. That game ended in a 0-0 draw…Portmore 71 and Tivoli 69 points with a game to go on Sunday at 4pm all games are played simultaneously. Coaches Donovan "DV" Hayles and Andrew Price, were both ready to pit their match plans against each other, as they stood toe-to-toe on the sidelines. It was the moment to stand up and be counted.
Referee, Dave Peterkin signalled the start of the match at 7.05pm as Harbour View kicked-off towards the east with authority, as Captain Jermaine Hue stroked the ball left-side to Marcelino Blackburn as they moved into the opponents half adventurously. Soon, in minute six, a ball bobbled about inside the penalty area as it lingered about from a corner-kick an attempted clearance found the waiting right boot of defender Wayne Ellis to notch his third goal of the season from about eight yards. 1-0 Boys’ Town and the traveling supporters frantically celebrated with Ellis.
Harbour View’s disciplined approach worked the ball around in search of the correct possessional rhythm as their three early efforts on goal needed greater accuracy to penetrate custodian, Kirk Porter. Kemar Lawrence released Jomo Gordon but first contact carried him wide before squaring, Hue released Andre Faygan who shot wide of the right upright from 22 yards and then Lawrence’s bobbling shot was turned wide by Faygan in an attempt to beat the diving goalkeeper. But the young attackers would have their say! Minute 21 was the opportunity for Faygan (20 years) to notch the first goal as it bounced around in the six yard box, three players kicked and missed as the slippery turf after heavy afternoon rains caused unforced errors but a gleeful Faygan would celebrate his second goal in the last two games. Harbour View FC 1 Boys’ Town FC 1. Young (20 years) Kemar “Baggio” Lawrence, would also join the party in minute 27 as he too turned in another good move from the edge of the box to assert themselves as leaders. His second goal in three games.
Lovel Palmers’ shot from 24 yards sailed inches over the crossbar, after the Jermaine Hue freekick was rolled into his path. The second half tactic was focused on midfield dominance by Harbour View as Boys’ Town lost patience and concentration without the ball as four players were booked for rough tackles. One real challenging effort unfolded from the boys from Collie Smith Drive, as a rasping drive from Xavian Virgo was squeezed from just inside Dwayne Miller’s near post then smartly kicked away from the approaching forward, as he fell back into the goal-netting.
Harbour View managed the remainder of the game well enough to stave off any anxious moments but not really creating many other scoring opportunities to gain three valuable points, advancing closer to the leaders on 68 points….with Portmore United to play on Sunday, 4pm at the Harbour View Stadium. Tivoli Gardens is at home to the dangerous Arnett Gardens FC on 56 points and seeking to overtake Boys’ Town in a race for fourth place. Coach Donovan "DV" Hayles allowed himself to crack a smile, knowing fully well the real battle is on Sunday...D-DAY!!
The Grand Finale, has at long last arrived.
