‘Stars’ rise, as Portmore fall
Harbour View maintained their lead atop of the Digicel Premier League (DPL) with a 2-0 win while prolonging Portmore United’s dismal season at the Compound on Sunday night.
Goals by Kavin Bryan and substitute Andre Fagan in the 51st and 83rd minutes, respectively, pushed Harbour View to their 17th win from 28 games and onto 57 points.
The ‘Stars of the East’ maintained their three-point lead atop the standing in what is becoming a two-team race with Tivoli Gardens to the wire.
Portmore United, who were suffering their 13th defeat, remained firmly rooted to the bottom of the league on 27 points, three behind Arnett Gardens, Sporting Central Academy and Rivoli United, all on 30 points.
The former four-time league winners are in grave danger of being relegated and based on their poor display in which they lacked verve and confidence, it is fast becoming a reality that they might be playing Super League football next season.
The moment referee Wilverglen Lamey blew the opening whistle, Harbour View took control and never looked back.
They were easily the better team on display as midfield general Jermaine Hue, Richard Edwards, Romario Campbell and John Ross-Edwards seized control of the midfield.
So dominant was the home team that it took Portmore United until the 30th minute to get a shot on goal and what a shot it was.
The former national Under-20 midfielder Ricardo Cousins unleashed a thunderous 35-metre free-kick which was too hot to handle for national goalkeeper Dwayne Miller as it nearly broke his hands and the crossbar.
But Hue was in his ‘ackee’ and Harbour View’s opening goal was near as he was clearly up for this game.
In the 51st minute he dipped his left shoulder, dismissed Michael Binns and another player before unleashing a hard, low shot which goalkeeper Duwayne Kerr could only block into the path of the alert Bryan, who smashed it into the roof of the net.
It was a most deserved goal and although they had to wait until the 83rd minute for the second goal from substitute Fagan, the result was never in doubt.
Teams: Harbour View — Dwayne Miller, Dicoy Williams, Jaron Richards, Montrose Phinn, Daveion Woodhouse, Richard Edwards, Romario Campbell, John Ross-Edwards, Jermaine Hue (Fabian Campbell 81st), Jomo Gordon (Andre Fagan 75th), Kavin Bryan (Marcelino Blackburn 82nd).
Subs not used: Michaud Barrett, Clifton Waugh, Kimarlee Brissett, Nicholas Beckett.
Booked: none
Portmore United — Duwayne Kerr, Anthony Modeste, Adrian Reid, Andre Darby, Tyrone Sawyers, Ryan Powell (Andre Campbell 57th), Mario Swaby (Shauntel Mundle 69th), Michael Binns, Ricardo Cousins, Roen Nelson (Bryan Bayliss 69th), Tremaine Stewart.
Subs not used: Gariece McPherson, Wolry Wolfe, Gary McIntosh, Omar Campbell.
Booked: Mundle (ejected 83rd)
Referee: Wilverglen Lamey
Assistant Referees: Garnet Page, Recordus Wilson
Fourth Official: Carvel Banton
Match Commissary: Anne-Marie Cundy