Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Meadhaven United's Nackwayne Parchment (foreground) stands over the ball while Mountain View's Ricardo Burke looks to tackle from behind, as his skipper Godfrey Bolin (left) looks on during their JN/KSAFA Super League football match at Courtney Walsh Oval, Excelsior High School, on Saturday. Meadhaven won 1-0. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

Alrick Clarke, assistant coach of Meadhaven United, says he's still very optimistic that his team can catch runaway leaders Police National at the top of the Kingston and St. Andrew Football Association (KSAFA)/Jamaica National (JN) Super League.

Meadhaven are now in second place in the point standings with 26 after their 1-0 victory at Courtney Walsh Oval, Excelsior High, over Mountain View (16), and seven points behind Police National (33), who registered a 2-1 win over bottom place Barbican (7) in Saturday's round of matches.

In other games, the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) on 24, maintained third spot with a 2-0 victory over Maverley-Hughenden (12) and Santos are fourth on 20 after a 2-0 victory over Greenwhich Town (12).

"I am working towards catching the leaders and I hope that we can continue to win matches and hope that they slip-up along the way," said Clarke, who is also the coach of former Manning Cup champions Norman Manley.

Fifth straight victory

"I am definitely happy with today's performance because this is our fifth straight victory and we hope to continue in this way because we played very well under the circumstances," Clarke explained.

Omar Stanley, coach of Mountain View, said: "Our home ground is not a happy hunting ground for us because we continue to give up the odd goal."

He added: "I must give credit to Meadhaven United, they defended well and if you want to move up and gain points you have to be able to defend and defend for long periods and that's what they did."

The visitors dominated the early proceedings and were denied by excellent goalkeeping from Damion Murphy, who was called upon on several occasions to make a number of diving saves.

However, in the 29th minute Leighton Neita broke the deadlock when he volleyed home a powerful left-footed shot past Murphy.

Mountain View's Troylan Williams came close to giving his team the equaliser on the stroke of half-time, but after receiving a through pass from Rohan Williams and with custodian Andrew Gibson at his mercy, he struck a powerful left-footed shot but it went wide of the target.

Five minutes into the second half Williams thought he had scored his team's second goal but his diving header from close range hit the crossbar.

Mountain View's best scoring chance of the period fell to captain Godfrey Bolin in the dying moments of the game. But after skipping by two Meadhaven defenders, he tried to lob the ball over the advancing Gibson and it went high over the crossbar.