FORMER Champions Harbour View FC remain in second place on the points chart after being held to a 0-0 draw by Sporting Central Academy in their DPL game at Brancourt yesterday.

Harbour View now have 29 points — the same as St Georges SC, but with a better goal difference of +10 to Georges’ +8 and a point behind Tivoli Gardens, who won against Humble Lions at Effortville to reclaim the lead.

The Donavon Hayles-coached Harbour View had a chance to go atop the league had they beaten Sporting, but failed to do so despite pushing for more firepower upfront when Hayles swapped a defender for an attacker early in the second half.

Sporting Central continue to be unbeaten in five games, dating back to their last game of the first round against Rivoli United, but are also finding victories hard to come by despite creating good goalscoring chances.

They have, however, regained eight spot with 16 points, the same as Rivoli, but with a better goal difference.

They are two points behind Arnett Gardens in seventh and three clear of Village United in 10th place.

Coach Hayles said he is not worried about being in second place, and thought his players gave a good account of themselves.

“I am very proud of my team. I thought we some chances and I think Sporting could argue the same thing, but I’m not here to bemoan Sporting’s losses.

“One point behind the leaders is not a bad thing considering how far we’re coming from, so I think we’re OK”, Hayles said.

On the other hand Donavon Duckie, Sporting’s coach, continues to bemoan his team wastefulness in front of goal.

“I think we’re doing well in the second round. We haven’t lost a game, but what I’m concerned with is our finishing; we’re playing well, but we have to continue to work on the attacking third of our game.”

What was expected to be a classic game between two excellent passing teams turned out to be a scrappy affair — though it was not void of good goalscoring opportunity.

Sporting, though not dominating the game, had the better look-ins at goal, but failed to capitalise, with leading striker Francois Swaby being the main culprit.

On 43 minutes, Swaby failed to finish off a good combination between himself and Damarly Samuels when he fired into the stands with goalkeeper Dwayne Miller at his mercy.

Sporting Central — Andre Blake, Linval Lewis, Christopher Banner, Cleon Barrette(J. Christian 52nd), Javaughn Watson, Akeem Annakie (D. Samuels 20th), Camal Reid, Gregory Lewis, Kadian Wynter, Dale Watson, Francois Swaby( Oneke Ford 80th).

Subs not used: T Huntley, L Williams, J Powell, R Barnes

Booked: G Lewis (32nd), Banner (86th),

Harbour View — Dwayne Miller, Jaron Richards (J. Edwards 49th), Montrose Phinn, Dicoy Williams, Kimarlee Brissett, Lovel Palmer, Marcelino Blackburn (D. Watson 78th), Jermaine Hue, Andre Fagan, Kamar Petrekin (R .Thomas 69th), Nicholas Beckett.

Subs not used: M Barret, A Steele, D Anderson, C Harvey.

Booked: Brissett (36th), Beckett (48th), D Williams (81st), Hue (88th)

Referee: Courtney Daley

Assistants: Bedlee Powell, Antoinette Williams Fourth Official: Cordella Samuels

Match Commissary: Uken Campbell