First-half brilliance lifts Boys' Town past Harbour View

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

Boys' Town put in a brilliant first-half performance yesterday at Collie Smith Drive to defeat Harbour View 3-1 and top Zone B in the Claro Champions League.

Despite the result, both teams have progressed to the semi-finals.

Boys' Town topped the zone with maximum nine points, while Harbour View ended with six and will face the winners of Zone A in the semis.

It was the 'Stars of the East' who took the lead in the second minute after they were awarded a penalty, after Lamar Nelson's dribble in the area was impeded by Daemion Benjamin's tackle. Captain Marcelino Blackburn steeped up and easily dispatched the spot kick.

The lead was, however, shortlived as Boys' Town equalised in the sixth minute through a brilliant goal from Marvin Morgan, who hit a lovely 25-yard volley, which flew in the net despite the keeper's valiant effort.

Boys' Town made it 2-1, scoring from their second meaningful attack in the 20th minute. Their captain, Michael Campbell, played a corner short to Renae Lloyd, who took one touch to settle the ball before letting fly an unstoppable shot from 25 yards.

Campbell got his name on the scoresheet three minutes before half-time with a well-taken solo goal. He made a 40-yard dribble, before turning an opponent inside out, before slotting past the outrushing keeper.

Poor finishing

Harbour View came close to getting a second goal on several occasions in the second half, but they were let down by poor finishing. Blackburn was the main culprit as he missed three glaring opportunities in quick succession.

Donovan Hayles, coach of Harbour View, was not surprised about his team's poor finishing.

"Offensively, I expected this because I have not been doing much finishing," said Hayles. "Once you don't practise in front of goal that is going to happen, as simple as it might look."

He added: "The coordination of the team defensively is not there and that is understood because a lot of new players are around the back and they are young players. That is one major area we have to tighten up on before the semi-final round."

Boys' Town's coach, Andrew Price, was impressed with his team's first-half performance.

"I was pretty impressed with the first half. We moved the ball around a lot and we got ourselves into scoring positions," said Price. "I think we slacked off in the second half, but I think that is a result of fitness. These games are just to get us into some form of match condition so we are prepared come the 29th of August (start of the Premier League season)," he added.

The first game of the double-header saw August Town blank newly promoted Major League team, Seaview Gardens, 2-0. Omari Edwards scored both of his team's goals, the first coming in the 10th minute and the second in the 38th.