Cavs, H’View satisfied with stalemate
CAVALIER managed to stay a point ahead of Harbour View in the race for a spot in the second End-of-Round Final after playing to a 0-0 draw in their Red Stripe Premier League game at Stadium East on Sunday.
The ‘Stars of the East’ remained a point adrift on 13, while Cavalier added a point to take their total in this round to 14 following the up and down affair in their second meeting this season.
Damian Harwood made a loose attempt to put Harbour View in front in the 40th minute, chipping a ball from the right which went just past the left goal post. In the second half, the league leaders seemed intent to push forward, making a few attempts to go ahead.
Cavalier were left confounded as the ball stayed close to Mas Camp and spent very little time in their half.
John-Ross Edwards stirred up the crowd 22 minutes into the period after collecting a left-sided cross and pounding it from 23 yards directly to goal, but his shot was saved by Gariece McPherson, who spared Cavalier’s blushes.
Propelled by a corner taken by Ajuran Brown in the 80th, Cavalier seemed to have found new life as they made a push to forge ahead in the dying minutes.
Donovan Alveranga gave goalkeeper Michaud Barrett a scare a few moments later with a forceful shot, but it was miscalculated and went high.
Harbour View’s coach Vin Blaine told the Jamaica Observer that while he was disappointed in not scoring a goal in the game, he isn’t so much focussed on making it to the incentive final, but maintaining the team’s place in the overall lead.
“I think we came out in the first a bit flat up front. We got chances but didn’t put them away. I expected that. We still have a chance; we have three games left, so we will see how that goes. It doesn’t matter how that goes, we are still ahead.”
Lamar Morgan of Cavalier said both teams had their high points throughout the encounter.
“I thought that both teams played well tactically, but they didn’t score their chances. We came here to come a point, so it all goes well based on what you put out.
“Our short-term goal is to make it to the End-of-Round Final and our long-term goal is to stay in the league and even win the competition…,” he said.