Meadhaven United's Shantel May (right) prepares to play the ball as she comes under pressure from Barbican's Tamara Williams during their Jamaica Football Federation Sherwin Williams Women's Premier League match at Barbican Oval yesterday. Barbican won 3-0. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer

Defending champions Harbour View came out firing on all cylinders and blasted Olympic Gardens 5-0 in the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Sherwin Williams Women's Premier League opening fixture at the Cling Cling Oval yesterday.

National representative Nicola Bell opened the scoring for title holders in the seventh minute against an Olympic Gardens team who were themselves coming off a 4-0 victory over St. Catherine Upliftment.

Natasha Douglas then added another goal in the 26th minute to increase the lead headed into half-time.

An even more dominant second half saw the Stars of the East net three more times with goals coming from Kimmia Parker in the 55th minute, Tiesha Grant in the 77th minute and Astacia McKintyre closing out the scoring in the 85th minute.

BARBICAN WIN

In the day's other games, Barbican cruised their way to a 3-0 win over recently promoted Meadhaven at the Barbican field.

The crafty Jodie-Ann Marsh fired Barbican in the lead in the 23rd minute and Janice Rennells extended the lead on the stroke of half-time.

Kenesha Reid wrapped up the points for a dominant home team, who looked far more purposeful in possession, with her 58th minute goal.

"We did not play as well as we could have today and I don't think we were together as a team," remarked Barbican coach Charles Edwards.

"Nonetheless we are satisfied with the result and you have to make some allowances for it being our first game of the season," he said.

Meadhaven coach Lyjasue Simms, who saw his recently-promoted team slump to a second straight loss, does not believe that the top flight is above their level.

"We got off to a slow start but we will rebound, they tried hard today but we have to believe a bit more in ourselves," he said.

"As the season progresses you will definately see our team get better," he added.

EARLY DEFICIT

At Racing Oval: Portmore Strikers erased an early deficit to stun Maverely-Hughenden 3-1.

Jodie-Ann Morris netted for Maverely-Hughenden in the 12th minute but quick strikes from Tashana Vincent in the 35th and Rochelle Bryan's 33rd and 39th minute goals erased the lead before half-time.

In women's A League action, Reno got the better of Trelawny Women 1-0 at the Elliston Wakeland Centre courtesy of a 52nd minute Tasheka Gordon strike.

At the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex, Arnett Gardens were the day's biggest winners when they demolished Seaview 11-0.

Kaydian Edwards was the pick of the scorers, netting in the ninth, 33rd, 47th and 70th minutes. Negene Nugent had a hat-trick, opening the scoring in the second and then netting in the 15th and 45th minutes, while Nisha Ralph scored in the 14th and 25th minutes. Trudy-Ann Hall (77th) and Kerry-Ann Squire (90th) had one goal each.

- K. Mugisa