DINO Williams’ 74th-minute strike condemned leaders Harbour View to their second consecutive defeat in the DPL, as they went down 0-1 to Village United at the Harbour View Mini-stadium on Wednesday.

On a day when the top teams failed to take maximum points, Village and the other team in the relegation zone, August Town, scored victories to leave the race for the other second-end-of-round finalists wide open.

The result was largely disappointing for coach Donovan Hayles, who believes not having the likes of Jermaine Hue, Marcelino Blackburn and Richard Edwards available, through either injury of bookings, was a major factor in their poor showing.

“It would have very difficult work without these players and we had to make about five changes in crucial areas.

“But once we have our regular numbers back it’s going to be a different story,” he said.

The visitors nearly took the lead after only three minutes when Harbour View gave away a free-kick on top of the area. However, Troy Smith’s curling left-footer skimmed the top of the bar and went over.

Minutes later, Harbour View replied when Damian Anderson picked out Jomo Gordon at the back-post, but instead of electing to shoot first time, the forward controlled and tried to pass the ball to Nicholas Beckett who was intercepted.

Village then came close to the opener immediately after when Williams broke loose on top of the area and fired a low shot which Dwayne Miller had to parry for a corner.

Gordon had the best chance to put the hosts up after 23 minutes when he robbed the Village defence inside the area. However, his tame shot was quickly snapped up by goalkeeper Elvis Hart in the Village goal.

As Harbour View continued to enforce their dominace, Hart was called into action on at least three occasions in the final 10 minutes as the host pressed for the opening goal.

On one occasion, the custodian had to go full stretch to put a cross by Andre Fagan over for a corner.

In the second-half both teams failed to create many chances as in the first period.

Gordon created the first threat of the half when he turned his marker on top of the box, but his shot on goal was taken off the toes of the lurking Fagan at the far-post.

Even the introduction of Kavin Bryan, with 28 minutes remaining, couldn’t ignite the Harbour View attack.

But despite absorbing the pressure, Village were resilient throughout and were rewarded when Green Pond High’s Dacosta Cup striker of last season, Williams, latched on to a defence-splitting pass and hit a perfect shot across Miller into the far corner.

Harbour View tried desperately to get an equaliser and should have had it with five minutes remaining, but Montrose Phinn mis-kicked from inside the six-yard box after controlling from a corner.

The loss did not go down well with Harbour View supporters who aimed their frustration to the players and coaching staff long after the final whistle.

Village coach Paul ‘Tegat’ Davis was delightful with the win.

“This can really be a motivator because we have been searching for a win since I’ve been here, so this will do good for them,” he said.

In another result on Wednesday, Arnett Gardens and Humble Lions drew 1-1 at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex.

Teams:

Harbour View — Lovel Palmer, Dwayne Miller, Montrose Phinn, Clifton Waugh, Kimollie Brissett, John-Ross Edwards (Ranique Muir 77th), Nicholos Beckett (Kavin Bryan 62nd), Daminan Anderson, Fabian Campbell, Andre Fagan, Jomo Gordon (Rafiek Thomas 62nd).

Subs not used: Daveion Woodhouse, Lennox Wright, Lamar Hodges, Michaud Barrett

Booked: Waugh (54th)

Village United — Elvis Hart, Troy Smith, Lance Laing, Orlando Mcbayne, Ladale Richie, Alan Ottey (Maricio Gordon 65th), Cordel Simpson, Fitzroy Campbell (John Barrett 85th), Everet Mullin (Ricardo Morris 58th), Dino Williams, Delroy Ellis.

Subs not used: Kemar Llewellyn, Andre Williams, Teofore Bennett, Omar Allen

Booked: Mcbayne (50th), Richie (86th)

Referee: Lewin Purser

Assistants: Ricardo Morgan & Lloyd Edwards

Fourth Official: Tariq Parchment

Match Commissary: Trevor Purboo