Harbour View's captain, Lovel Palmer (centre), collects the Wray and Nephew National Premier League Trophy from Jamaica Football Federation president, Crenston Boxhill (right), following the team's 3-0 victory over Village United at the Harbour View Stadium yesterday. Other football officials and Harbour View players and staff share the moment. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter
Officially putting the bitterness of last season's slip-up to rest, Wray and Nephew National Premier League (NPL) kings Harbour View celebrated wildly as they were formally crowned at the Harbour View Mini Stadium yesterday.
"We felt it the hard way last season, we were leading by 13 points and we lost, it was crushing," remarked an elated Lovel Palmer, captain of Harbour View, as they were officially presented with the League Cup following a sound 3-0 thrashing of Village United.
"However, coach Lenny (Len-worth Hyde Sr.) came on board this year, he told us it was a 'new season, new players, just enjoy yourselves' he said, 'play as if last year didn't happen, just play football'," Palmer explained.
Tough time
Harbour View did indeed have a tough time last season as perched comfortably on top of the league, they tumbled amid much ridicule to an embarrassing second-place spot as Waterhouse caught and passed them with just a few rounds left.
"After a loss like that you have something to prove to Jamaica, I think that after such disappointment it takes a lot of character to come out and win the very next season and the guys have done well," Palmer said.
As the homesters had already lifted the title, Village must have been hoping to catch the Stars of the East in a festive mood. However, the crafty Jermaine Hue immediately showed the Trelawny team that it was business as usual.
Dribbling down the left flank, he cut inside two defenders and much to the surprise of all present, fired a right-footed cannon past Village custodian Elvis Hart in the 37th minute.
Harbour View's leading scorer, Kavin Bryan, administered even more punishment as he flew past captain Emiel Thomas in the 45th minute before blasting past Hart at the far post.
Hue, who had a splendid game in the middle of the park, then turned provider when he played Bryan into the area on the stoke of full-time and the striker made no mistake in stroking the ball past a helpless Hart.
| Harbour View | 3 |
Jermaine Hue 37th Kavin Bryan 45th, 90th |
| Village | 0 |
