Though it’s still relatively early in the season, both Harbour View FC and Dunbeholden FC clashed in what was a real relegation dogfight on Sunday.

The former national football club champions Harbour View emerged from the battle at the “Compound” 4-1 winners with goals from Javid George (17th), Trayvone Reid (37th), Colorado Murray (45th) and Timar Lewis (52nd) — all signings in January.

The Stars of the East, who started the day at the base of the 14-team Wray & Nephew Jamaican Premier League, climbed two places to be 12th on 16 points.

Assistant Coach Damion Stewart told the Jamaica Observer they are just fighting to stay in the league.

“When you’re in a position like that, there’s always worry. What you think about is how to come out of it more than thinking about the problem,” said the former Harbour View player.

“Solving the problem more than worrying about getting relegated because we know the calibre of club we are and we are not where we need to be and where we want to be,” he added.

Harbour View’s victory is just their fourth from 20 games while they have been defeated a worrying 12 times. Before Sunday they had netted just 12 times.

“Well, if you notice the team has been improving over the games because our luck has been going against us. So, fortunately, today, we got some goals and we defended well today,” he noted.

The 2022 champions were well in need of the injection of quality players and were given the expected lift as four new players all scored.

George, who plays for Dominica, opened the scoring in the 17th minute before Reid doubled the advantage in the 37th minute from the penalty spot.

Murray deceived the goalkeeper at his near post on the stroke of half-time in the 45th minute with his first goal in two games.

Lewis, who also returned in the January transfer window, netted the fourth goal with a spectacular curling effort in the 52nd minute for his second goal in three games.

But Dunbeholden never dropped their heads and finished strongly. Defender Chevoy Watkins headed home in the 58th minute to make it 1-4.

Dunbeholden’s Head Coach Harold Thomas remained philosophical despite his team dropping into the relegation in 13th spot on 16 points.

“There’s a lot of things happening. We have to get these young players into the mentality to play to compete. A lot of them are not at that level yet,” Thomas explained.

The physical condition is poor so we’ve tried to put in some experience in there and there’s a level of indiscipline in there as well. People don’t follow their instructions well. But, you know, we have some time to do some work,” he added.

“We’re not going to get relegated. I can’t tell you that. I don’t know who is going, but it’s not us,” said a confident-talking Thomas.