By Nodley Wright, Staff Reporter
Tivoli's Darren Virtue tries to protect the ball under pressure from Harbour View's Donald Stewart during yesterday's Premier League action at Harbour View. Harbour View won 1-0. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer
HARBOUR VIEW yesterday improved their chances of earning a place in the semi-finals of the Wray and Nephew National Premier League with a 1-0 win over Tivoli Gardens at the Harbour View Mini Stadium.
With the win, Harbour View improved their points tally to 55, eight behind Hazard United who played to a 0-0 draw with Seba United. Defending champions Arnett Gardens also kept themselves in the frame with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Rivoli United with Cornel Chin-Sue scoring at both ends while Kevin Wilson added the second for Arnett Gardens.
Arnett Gardens are now five points behind Harbour View but opened a gap between themselves and Village United who played to a 1-1 draw with the relegation-bound Bull Bay.
Village, on 48 points, are facing no immediate threat to their position as Tivoli Gardens, following their loss, remain on 40 points.
Waterhouse, with a double strike from Kevin Lamey and a goal from Roberto Fletcher in his second game running, slammed Constant Spring 3-0 and joined Tivoli Gardens on 40 points. They, however, have an inferior goal difference to Tivoli.
At the Harbour View Mini Stadium, the home team was up against a weakened Tivoli Gardens who did not seem to be very interested in the game. Despite this, Harbour View failed to make use of the many chances they created.
Tivoli, who were playing without shape or focus, were not helped by the forced withdrawal of Christopher Nicholas who aggravated a hamstring injury. His replacement, Roland Dean, was also injured and had to be replaced when he was tackled hard by Damion Stewart in the second half.
Midfielder Daniel Shaw fired Harbour View ahead in the 36th minute and they never looked back. Tivoli almost had an undeserved equaliser in the 60th minute when Clifton Waugh fouled Nigerian Aghenu Ifeanyichukwu but Andrew Chisholm missed from the spot.
Substitute Lenworth Hyde Jnr added life and purpose to Tivoli in the second
half but he lacked help.
"I am very pleased. We played a very smart game. We kept possession of
the ball and maintained our discipline and composure," said Harbour View
coach Donovan Hayles after the game. "I am surprised that they did not
put up more of a fight," he said.
Tivoli's Mark Mendel said anxiety affected his team.
"I think maybe we were too anxious to win and we did not put it together,"
said Mendel. "What it means now is that we are out of contention,"
continued the disappointed Mendel who also added that his team was ravaged by
injuries.
"We had at least six injured players. Christopher Nicholas is injured,
Roland Dean is injured, Marco McDonald is injured and we have three natural
right backs."
