Robert Bailey, Freelance Reporter

HARBOUR VIEW suffered their first loss of the Wray and Nephew National Premier League season when they were beaten 2-1 by Village United at the Compound on Wednesday evening.

The team has now slipped to second place in the standings behind defending champions, Waterhouse, who had a comfortable 3-0 win over Wadadah at Jarrett Park.

The 'Stars of East' came out in the first-half firing on all cylinders and quickly went ahead in the 14th minute when captain Lovel Palmer volleyed home a fine right- sided cross from teammate, Gregg Taylor.

Palmer threatened again a few minutes later, but his left-footed effort was spectacularly saved by goalkeeper Andre Moore.

Kevin Bryan thought he had sent Harbour View further ahead later in the half, but his header on goal was just wide of the target as the Village players were forced to defend for almost the entire first half.

Upon resumption, Harbour View continued to dominate game and created numerous opportunities, but were let down owing to poor finishing from the likes of Loxley Thomas and Bryan Palmer.

After watching his team soak up all the pressure from Harbour View, Cassman Williams, coach of Village, turned to his bench and it quickly paid dividends as in the 65th minute substitute, Luke Tate, fired home the equaliser.

Second victory

Another substitute, Omar Allen, struck in the 90th minute with a rasping 20-metre right-footer past goalkeeper Moore to give his team its second victory of the season. Williams, who is the interim coach of Village owing to the absence of Dr. Dean Weatherly, said: "It's always good to get three points at the opponents' ground.

" I think the guys really played well in the second half today. We didn't played well in the first half and Harbour View created a lot of chances, but we went in at half-time and made some adjustments and it paid and I am really happy," he said.

Lenworth Hyde, coach of Harbour View, was disappointed with his team's performance. "We played very well in the first- half, but in the second period we just lapsed," said Hyde.

Village United - 2

(Luke Tate, 65th)

Harbour View - 1

(Lovel Palmer ,14th)