Harbour View clip UWI 1-0
A 14th-minute strike by Michael Lutas gave Harbour View a 1-0 win over University of the West Indies (UWI) FC in their Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) game at Mona Bowl yesterday.
The young striker latched onto a left-sided cross and fired home from close range, propelling Harbour View to their second-consecutive win and consolidation of fourth spot with 13 points.
UWI, who were losing their second game of the season, remain in second spot on 14 points.
The Ricardo “Bibi” Gardner-coached Harbour View came out flying from the opening whistle and were all over UWI. When the goal came, it was no surprise.
A neat build-up started from the back and when Andrew Allen’s cross was missed by Daniel Green, Lutas was on hand to side-foot home from close range.
The “Stars of the East”, led by Captain Kemar Bennett pulling the strings in midfield alongside the imposing Sheldon McKoy, the skilful Allen, and overlapping wingbacks Kareem Manning and Damarley Oliver, had UWI on the ropes and never relented.
Winning Coach Gardner was pleased with the win as Harbour View seem to have found their stride in the league.
“We got an early goal and coming in the last 15 minutes we soaked up the pressure from UWI — and unfortunately we didn’t catch them on the counter and get a second goal. But it was a good performance again, keeping another clean sheet,” said Gardner.
The usually proficient UWI never showed up for battle and lost for the second time in three games.
Head Coach Marcel Gayle was clearly disappointed.
“Congrats to Harbour View; I thought they just did what it takes to win the game. We were slow out of the blocks and took too long to settle down,” noted Gayle.
“It was a game of two halves.but we should have been a little bit more potent in front of goal, so we just have to come again,” he added.
Meanwhile, Reno stunned Portmore United 3-0 at Frome with goals from Craig Foster (33rd), Fancy-Hue Stewart 53rd and Afiba Chambers 90th. Reno gain two places to fifth on 12 points, while Portmore, who lost their second-consecutive match, remain in third spot on 13 points.
At Effortville Community Centre, home team Humble Lion trounced Sandals South Coast FC 4-0 with a double strike by Wolry Wolfe. Humble Lion climb out of the relegation zone into ninth spot with eight points. Sandals stay bottom on three points from eight games.
At Barbican complex, Javanie Campbell struck in the 88th minute as Boys’ Town rallied for a 1-1 draw against Cavalier for whom Alex Marshall converted a 33rd-minute penalty. Boys’ Town now slip into the relegation zone in 11th spot with six points, while Cavalier drop to sixth on 11 points.
—Howard Walker
Teams:
UWI— Nickolas King, Rochane Smith, Taniel McKenzie, Deno Schaffe (Daniel Gilzene 46th), Ryan Miller, Oshane Jenkins (Jerondy Henry 74th), Stephen Barnett, Dravian Williams, Fabian McCarthy, Girvon Brown (Anthony Greenland 10th), Kemoy Atkinson.
Subs not used: Taffarell Crosdale.
Booked: Taniel McKenzie 11th, Deno Schaffe 33rd.
Harbour View— Joel Johnson, Ryan Wellington, Ajeanie Talbott, Kareem Manning, Damarley Oliver, Hugh Evans, Sheldon McKoy, Andrew Allen (Evan Taylor 81st), Daniel Green (Thorn Simpson 72nd), Kemar Bennett, Michael Lutas (Peter Lee Vassell 69th).
Subs not used: Christian Kluvi, Jaleel Chamberlain, Christopher Harvey, Rosario Harriott.
Booked: Kareem Manning 73rd, Joel Johnson 90th
Referee: Kevin Morrison
Assistant referees: Jassett Kerr, Kemar Bailey
Fourth official: Neressa Goldson
Match commissary: Elaine Walker-Brown
Yesterday’s results
UWI 0, Harbour View 1
Reno 3, Portmore 0
Humble Lion 4, Sandals 0
Boys’ Town 1, Cavalier 1