Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer
Keith Kelly (right) tackles Tafari O'Connor during a NPL match between Arnett Gardens and Constant Spring last season. Kelly is one of several members in a new-look Harbour View team which departs for the US today. - CARLINGTON WILMOT/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
A NEW-LOOK Harbour View outfit departs the island at 10:00 this morning for a friendly tour of the United States.
The tour which already has two games confirmed and which could stretch to three with a game against the Colorado Rapids on Friday, kick off at Real Salt Lake's Rice-Eccles Stadium on Wednesday.
They also play a Caribbean All-Star team in Florida on Sunday before returning the following day.
While Robert Scarlett, a recent signing from Harbour View by Real Salt Lake, will be happy to catch up with some of his former clubmates, he may not recognise a number of them.
In addition to Jermaine Hue, also in the MLS, Damion Stewart and Luton Shelton (England) Harbour View will be without the likes of Sean Fraser, Clifton Waugh, Craig Stewart, Donald Stewart, Jomo Gordon (New York Summer League) and Christopher Harvey who is playing in Trinidad.
Academic pursuit appears to have robbed them of two of their brightest talents who were tipped to really break out this season. Akeem Priestly, a ready-made replacement for Hue, but with more pace, departed on Monday last on a football scholarship while his former national Under-20 and Ardenne colleague, goalkeeper Ryan Thompson, is set to follow soon.
With all of that coach Donovan "DV" Hayles is still looking forward to the tour and the upcoming Wray and Nephew National Premier League (NPL) season.
WORKING AS A UNIT
"What I like is that we are working as a unit. Those we have now are players who are trying to impress and as such follow instructions and work within the context of the team.
"This suits me as I am trying to build a unit with discipline. We have skilful players still but sometimes when the team has too many skilful players who are stars or who consider themselves stars there is an unhealthy competition. They will not fight and sacrifice for each other," Hayles explained.
He is particularly happy with the capture of Keith Kelly and Locksley Thomas who will inject a degree of creativity to the team and both of them "have looked good in training".
He has also retained the likes of Leighton Murray (goalkeeper) defenders Jermaine Taylor, William Richards and utility players Oneil Smith and Lovel Palmer.
"It is a mixture of youth and experience and I am confident that they will do well. They may not all be known but they are good players and I expect them to do well. Inexperience is the only worry right now," Hayles said of the squad.
Full squad:
Goalkeepers - Leighton Murray, Dennis Clayton; defenders - Jermaine Taylor, Orville Campbell, Richard Kentish, William Richards, Oneil Smith, and Nicholas Dodd; midfielders - Lovel Palmer, Anthony Christie, Keith Kelly, Locksley Thomas, Ondino Griffiths and Richard Edwards; forwards - Kemar Petrekin, Kevin King, Leon Strickland and Marcelino Blakburn.
