HARBOUR View warmed up for the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) first End-of-Round final with a classy 2-1 win over Arnett Gardens at the Tony Spaulding Sports Complex yesterday.

Jermie Lynch fired the visitors in front after only 12 minutes and Nicholas Beckett added the second goal nine minutes later. Kamal Malcolm pulled one back for the hosts in the 79th minute.

The result means Harbour View (25 points) stretched their lead atop the points standing to four points ahead of Boys’ Town (21 points), who play third-placed Portmore (19 points) for the other spot in the final this evening at Ferdie Neita Park.

Harbour View have now won their last five matches and had already secured their End-of-Round final berth from the previous round of games.

However, assistant coach Harold Thomas said the aim was to avoid getting complacent and try to accumulate points.

“The plan was to keep focused and try to amass points instead of concentrating on the End-of-Round final,” he said.

The ‘Stars of the East’ did not take long to settle and they were gifted a goal when goalkeeper Damion Hyatt spilled a cross and Lynch capitalised on his mistake.

The visitors added to their lead when Beckett whipped a free-kick from the edge of the area past a hapless Hyatt, who was expecting Jermaine Hue to hit the deadball.

For the remainder of the half, Harbour View led by Hue, controlled the midfield and ran rings around their opponents and squandered a number of opportunities to increase their lead.

It was not until Arnett introduced Jonathan Williams and Vishunal Harris 10 minutes into the second period that they came to life.

Marcelino Blackburn tested Michaud Barrett in goal with a rasping free-kick and from the resulting corner Kirk Ramsey could not finish Leon Strickland’s low cross from five yards.

Lynch also had two great chances for Harbour View moments after Arnett’s spirited burst, but he could not direct either on target.

Harbour View and Hue were always in control and in the 72nd minute, the midfield maestro released Eric Vernan, who set up Damion Harwood at point-blank range, but Hyatt atoned for his earlier error, reacting brilliantly to block the striker’s effort.

Substitute Malcolm raced onto a pass from Williams and lifted the ball over the advancing Barrett for the consolation.