MAY PEN, Clarendon — Despite failing to record a win in their first two games of the Red Stripe Premier League season, Humble Lion and Harbour View have expressed satisfaction with their performances thus far in the campaign.

Both sides battled to a respectable 1-1 draw on Sunday evening at the Effortville Community Centre in a game which offered its fair share of goal-mouth activity and disciplinary infringements.

It was Humble Lion, last season’s third-place finishers, who assumed the ascendancy in minute 27, courtesy of a close-range header from Roberto Fletcher. But the visiting Harbour View outfit would restore parity in the 52nd minute after John-Ross Edwards rifled home from the penalty spot.

Both sides would also end the game without their captains — Humble Lion losing Ricardo Cousins to a straight card in the 55th and the ‘Stars of the East’ having Nicholas Beckett sent off for a two bookable offences in the 17th and 70th minutes.

However, before and after that spate of indiscipline, there was more than enough activity around either penalty area to keep the fans intrigued — the hosts coming closest to stealing a winner when Devon Hodges cannoned a right-footed effort into the left upright midway the second half.

And despite mirroring their start to the last campaign, failing to record a win in their first two outings, Humble Lion coach Linval Wilson was happy to share the points with their guests.

He said: “It was really a tough game. Both teams gave it their all and it’s a bit unfortunate that we couldn’t get all three points.

“But, it’s the start of the season, and this is an improvement on our last performance, so we will take the point and move forward.”

His opposite number, Ludlow Bernard, was equally pleased with his team’s effort.

“Considering the situation, I’m very happy to take the point,” said Bernard. “It’s just unfortunate that after two games we are still without a win because we have been playing some good football.”

TEAMS:

Humble Lion — Kadeem Davis, Kirk Duckworth (Gregory Lewis 40th), Hugh Howell, Linval Lewis, Kevon Reid, Kadian Wynter (Horace Sharpe 62nd), Andrew Vanzie, Ricardo Cousins, Roberto Fletcher (Fabian Pascoe 46th), François Swaby, Devon Hodges.

Subs not used: Sanchez Lloyd, Ajuran Brown, Omar Walters, Trevol Smith.

Booked: Fletcher (40th), Cousins (55th ejected)

Harbour View — Mark Bryan, Mark Miller, Ian Goodison, Damarly Oliver, Hugh Evans, Nicholas Beckett, John-Ross Edwards, Andrew Allen (Jorginho James 73rd), Claudious Blackburn (Ranique Muir 67th), Dejanni Isaacs, Shawn Hinds (Damian Anderson 79th).

Subs not used: Akeem Smith, Savian Maxwell, Odane Samuels, Khachief Mills.

Booked: Beckett (17th, 70th ejected), James (84th)

Referee: Valdin Legister

Assistants: Richard Washington, Stefanie-Dale Yeesing

Fourth Official: Jermaine Douglas

Match Commissary: Dudley Powell