By Audley Boyd, Assistant Sport EditorHARBOUR VIEW squandered an outstanding opportunity to inflict a rare beating on Arnett Gardens yesterday, tying 1-1 with their nemesis in a top sixth round Wray & Nephew National Premier League football match at Compound.
Like all the big clashes fought between the traditional giants within the past five years, it was exciting, fiercely competitive at times, free flowing and produced a result more favourable to Arnett - this time, because of the poor form, low fitness level and lack of personnel hampering the team.
"I'm very disappointed," was the cry of Harbour View's coach, Donovan 'DV' Hayles. "I think we created enough chances and dominated this game to take all three points, though I think it was a very entertaining game.
"Arnett Gardens lived up to expectations, they came today and they played a much better game I think to what they've been playing throughout the season. They looked short where physical was concerned and I think that's where we dominated, we were in a better physical condition. But technically and tactically they were with us in the game and I think that is what helped them out most of the times. But I think faulty finishing and ... bad decision-making in front of goal today cost us the game," added Hayles whose team stayed on top of the table with 13 points.
Jerome Waite, coach of Arnett, who remain seventh in the 12-team standings by advancing to eight points, said: "Today the team lifted its game. Even the fitness level of the team was up today. We kept a lot of possession. Keith Kelly really came in and added a lot of energy in the team. The general performance today was good."
Besides Kelly, the presence of unfit but seasoned quality players Walter Boyd (up front) and Eugene Barnes at central midfield and some real homely contributions from the much fitter Harbour View through lack of finishing and an assist on the equaliser, enabled Arnett to counter those negatives.
A DESERVED LEAD
Clifton Waugh's 23rd minute powerhouse penalty gave the homesters - whose Jermaine Hue controlled the middle of the ballpark while dribbling or passing - a deserved lead, but seven minutes later, they contrived an opening for Arnett through gross hesitancy with three defenders either misplaying or not attempting to play a ball among themselves and Kwame Richardson, initially about 10 yards from the play, obliged by sneaking home an equaliser at the half hour that defined the scoreline.
"We made two mistakes back-to-back in defence and we were punished for it, rightfully so," Hayles admitted. "We should have got that ball easily cleared, there was no threat on our goal but when you're playing a quality team if you get away with one mistake you're lucky. To try and get away with two is just asking for too much."
