LIKE a fairy tale, Harbour View’s inconsistent run in the preliminary stages of the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) had a happy ending as they went from looking nothing like title contenders to winning it all.

The “Stars of the East”, who won the last of their four titles in the 2012-13 season, added title number five to their trophy cabinet when they downed first-time finalists Dunbeholden FC 6-5 on penalties after playing out a 1-1 stalemate in full and extra time.

Colorado Murray, in the second minute, sent Harbour View in front with his seventh goal of the season before Demario Phillips (56th) pulled Dunbeholden level, forcing extra time and a penalty shoot-out to decide the outcome, much to the delight of the large crowd inside Sabina Park.

Trayvone Reid, Nicholas Hamilton, Oshane Staple, Shamari Dyer, Murray all converted from the 12-yard spot for Harbour View, with Ajeanie Talbott also hitting the target in sudden death.

Dunbeholden were also perfect for their first five through Atapharoy Bygrave, Phillips, DeanAndre Thomas, Nickoy Christian and Dwayne Smith.

And when Fabion McCarthy stepped up the belief was that the shoot-out would be prolonged, however, it ended in heartbreak for St Catherine-based team who were contesting their first JPL final since earning promotion in the 2018-19 season, as he booted high.

It was a frantic start by the “Stars of the East” as they raced in front when Murray fired past a hapless Damion Hyatt in goal for Dunbeholden for his seventh goal of the season.

Dunbeholden later settled and had a decent passage of play, applying pressure with a few tidy build-ups, but were unable to to create any meaningful chances to trouble Anthony Bennett in goal for Harbour View.

As the heavens opened up with rainfall so too did Dunbeholden’s attacking thrust, as Harbour View were hardly allowed to leave their half.

Dunbeholden should have pulled level in the 27th when Nickoy Christian’s long pass found Kimoni Bailey in the 18-yard box but while his first touch to control was deft, the dreadlocked player couldn’t get his left-footed shot on target.

At the half-hour mark Christian was taken out by Ajeanie Talbott about 25 yards out, a perfect position for the usually reliable Phillips to work his magic. And while Phillips got the free kick on target, it lacked the venom to trouble Anthony Bennett.

And like a pack of hungry wolves Dunbeholden continued to camp out in Harbour View’s quarters in the latter stages of the first half — but their hunt for the equaliser proved fruitless.

Like they did at the start, Harbour View again came out firing on the resumption with Murray almost pushing them further ahead five minutes in, but it was not to be as his right-footer sailed past Hyatt’s upright.

However, Dunbeholden were back on level terms soon after when Bygrave’s delightful cross into the six-yard box was met by Phillips who tapped home.

That equaliser forced Harbour View Coach Ludlow Bernard to draw for “Super Sub” Nicholas Hamilton earlier than normal and it did assist in shifting the momentum Harbour View’s way.

Harbour View had the final say in regulation time when Reid placed a pass on a platter for Staple, who wildly hit a right-footer high.

Both teams continued to exchange blows in extra time, with the best opportunity falling to Dunbeholden near the end of the 30 minutes.

But Harbour View’s substitute goalkeeper Amal Knight was well positioned to keep out substitute DeanAndre Thomas’s effort from close range to send it to the dreaded penalty kicks.

Teams

Harbour View– Anthony Bennett (Amal Knight 111th), Oshane Staple, Casseam Priestley (Garth Stewart 116th), Ajeanie Talbott, Odorland Harding, Shamari Dyer, Jashaun Anglin, Phillon Lawrence (Ryan Wellington 57th), Timar Lewis (Nicholas Hamilton 67th), Trayvone Reid, Colorado Murray

Subs not used: Romaine Brackenridge, Giving Burton, Shawn Daley, Jamone Shepherd, Tevin Scott

Booked: Dyer (84th)

Dunbeholden FC– Damion Hyatt, Shaquille Dyer, Odane Samuels (Zackyia Wilks 57th), Saneekie Burton (Dwayne Smith 120th), Kimoni Bailey, Fabion McCarthy, Demario Phillips, Nickoy Christian, Atapharoy Bygrave, Cleon Pusey (Clive Wedderburn 90th), Shakeen Powell(Peter McGregor 57th (DeanAndre Thomas 104th)

Subs not used: Jaheim Williams, Dwayne Smith, Craig Gayle, Romario McPherson, Shaun Dewar

Booked: Pusey (66th)

Referee: Okeito Nicholson

Assistant referees: Nicholas Anderson, Melvin Reid

Fourth official: Steffon Dewar

Match commissary: Ainsley Sharpe

Harbour View FC…1 (6)

Murray (2nd)

Dunbeholden FC…1 (5)

Phillips (56th)