HARBOUR View Head Coach Ludlow Bernard is pleased to have taken three points in their Concacaf Caribbean Cup opener on Wednesday.

Gavin Burton got the lone goal in their 1-0 win over fellow Jamaica Premier League side Dunbeholden at Sabina Park in minute 71.

Bernard says his team gave what he describes as a “spirited performance” in spite of a lack of preparation, with a number of inexperienced players heading into the game.

“Our lack of preparation would not have enabled us to really put on a stellar show today,” Bernard said during the post-match press conference. “It was not about the show, but about getting the three points.

“Now that we have cleared this particular hurdle we should have players who should be returning and should be getting better, going forward.”

Bernard says the performance in spite of the team’s issues was disciplined, and credits his goalkeeper Romario Palma for making a number of crucial saves throughout the game as Dunbeholden attacked from start to finish.

Palma was kept busy by Dunbeholden striker Dean-Andre Thomas, who created a number of opportunities before being substituted in the second half.

He produced three in the first half but Palma was equal on every occasion and had a point-blank header denied once more by Palma in minute 64.

But Harbour View held their nerve and got their goal against the run of play. A quick counter-attacking break resulted in a corner kick opportunity in minute 71. After the corner was whipped in, the ball was headed back across the box and Burton rose well to head beyond Damian Hyatt in the Dunbeholden goal.

Harbour View had an opportunity to double their lead in the 88th minute but didn’t. Another good counter-attacking play saw Colorado Murray whip in a cross to Kemar Mullings, who used good close control to cut back on two Dunbeholden defenders and also fool Hyatt into an early lunge for the ball. With the goal at his mercy you would have bet your house on him scoring only to find yourself homeless, as Mullings blasted his shot over the bar.

Dunbeholden had a chance to equalise in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time but a header from a cross into the box was denied by the post before the resulting rebound was put over the bar.

In spite of the result, Dunbeholden Head Coach Lenworth Hyde is pleased with the performance. It was his first game with the team and he says they already understand his system of play and what he wants them to do tactically.

“We played well in all departments of the pitch,” he said during his press conference. “It’s just a pity that we couldn’t get in one of those [chances]. We made numerous attempts on goal but I must lift my hat to the Harbour View goalkeeper. I think he had an excellent game.

“It’s our first game, so we have to continue building and build team chemistry going forward.”