Harbour View FC and Montego Bay United FC left the Harbour View Mini-Stadium with a point each, after a 1-1 result to open their 2017-18 Red Stripe Premier League season on Sunday.

Defender Ryan Wellington put Harbour View ahead in the 19th minute, but John Barrett equalised for the visitors in the 56th minute to earn a share of the points.

Coaches of both Harbour View and Montego Bay, Fabian Taylor and Roderick Underwood, respectively, expressed similar sentiments.

They noted that it was not a bad result for an opening game, and that they have a number young players — 19 years old and under — who are playing at this level for the first time, and their efforts were encouraging.

Playing with an eagerness to get their season off on a winning note, Harbour View took the bull by the horns from the opening whistle and it was little surprise when they took the lead through Wellington before the game was 20 minutes old.

Wellington, who formed an implacable defensive wall with Christopher Harvey, Nicholas Beckett and Rosario Harriott, vacated his right back position to stab home past the Montego Bay United goalkeeper David Swaby after he had spilled a Kimarley Fray shot into his path.

With the early success, Harbour View increased the tempo and should have done better with subsequent opportunities that fell to them — one such falling to Peter-Lee Vassell, who couldn’t believe his poor luck.

Harbour View, however, continued to take the game to their opponents but Swaby and the Montego Bay United defence lasted through the rest of the first half without further lapses.

Both teams returned for the second session in high spirits, Harbour View to continue from where they left off to increase their advantage, and Montego Bay to get on even terms — and they made their intentions clear.

Nonetheless, it was Montego Bay United, who looked a shade faster to the ball. Play however, remained even until 11 minutes into the second half when Montego Bay United won a free kick somewhere between the corner flag and the penalty area..

Donovan Carey then stepped forward and aimed a sharp free kick towards the Harbour View goal area where Barrett was allowed to climb above the Harbour View defence to meet the cross with a firm glancing header that beat Joel Johnson neck and crop.