Harbour View remain winless in 2023-24 JPL
Published:Tuesday | December 12, 2023 | 12:12 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
Harbour View’s winless run in the 2023-24 Jamaica Premier League (JPL) continued at Sabina Park yesterday and they had to rely on a 96th-minute goal from Shaquille Bradford to secure a 2-2 draw against Molynes United.
The Stars of the East are now six matches without a win, after four draws and two defeats, and they were made to sweat again by lowly Molynes United before earning a point.
Assistant coach Sean Frazer said just two wins from 14 games, including the Concacaf Caribbean Cup, is a gross underachievement.
“We have only won twice and with the number of quality players we have, we should be producing more,” he stated.
Molynes jumped into an early lead after Jeremy Nelson fired them in front from the penalty spot.
Courtney Allen could have equalised when left unmarked at the back post, but he put his effort over the bar.
Molynes had a couple good chances before the break but Richard Gooden and Enrique Gordon could not covert.
As Harbour View hunted the equaliser after the interval, Allen had a shot parried by goalkeeper Peter Harrison before Andre Fagan fired over.
Then from the corner Stewart’s header was again tipped over by Harrison.
Molynes made it 2-0 when Jevaughn Brown, on a quick counter, slipped the ball to Jason Wright, who slotted home from a tight angle.
Harbour View eventually got a goal back when Allen latched on to a diagonal ball and crossed for Bradford who turned home from six yards.
Jason Wright came close to adding a third in the 65th minute but Romario Palma was equal to his vicious drive.
Missed penalty
The Stars of the East then had a glorious chance to tie the game six minutes from time, after a foul in the area, but Bradford fired his penalty against the bar.
However, Bradford made amends six minutes into time added when he scored from inside the area, to the relief of the Harbour View faithful.
“We didn’t get the result we wanted today,” Frazer added. “But it was a tricky game, because Donald Stewart (Molynes coach) spent years at Harbour View under coach (Ludlow) Bernard, so he understands what we wanted to do.
“But we showed a lot of character to get back in the game but it is not good enough at the moment,” he stated.
Stewart, who is only in his second game after the previous coaching staff was relieved of their duties, said they could have done better to see out the match.
“We could have dealt with it better but it is unfortunate (to concede that late),” he said. Molynes ended the game with just nine men. Richard Gooden 80th and Sergeni Frankson (91st) were shown red cards.
Both teams are tied are at the foot of the 14-team standings on four points, along with Lime Hall. However, Harbour View hold the better goal difference.
“It is one point up so it’s still a gain. It’s better than none at all. We will take one and continue to work until we get the three we want,” Stewart added.
Molynes and Lime Hall are also yet to taste victory this season.