Battling qualities please Hayles

Gareth Davis Sr, Gleaner Writer

Harbour View Football Club head coach, Donovan Hayles, is somewhat pleased with the bravado shown by his youthful aggregation, as they held off a tough challenge from St Georges Sports Club to win their hard-fought Digicel Premier League matchup 2-1 at Lynch Park, Buff Bay, on Sunday.

"It's a young team and they played well," said Hayles, whose team moved to six points with their second victory. "I brought in a number of Under-21 players and, despite the scare from a good Georges team, we were victorious."

"We saw a bit of magic from Orgill (Dever, of St Georges) at first and then, in the second half, Georges really came at us. It was a good game and I am happy for the win."

The game kicked off late and both teams showed signs that they were eager to attack at the outset by pushing several players forward.

Georges stand tall

John-Ross Edwards, Romario Campbell, Marcelino Blackburn and Kemar Petrekin headed the attacks for Harbour View, but national captain Jermaine Taylor, his brother, Ricardo, and Maurice Jackson stood tall in defence for Georges, who had lost their opening match (4-2) at Boys' Town.

Georges were also proving to be dangerous at the other end of the pitch, mainly because of forward Dever Orgill, who made some mesmerising dribbles that brought the large crowd to life.

In one instance, Leon Irving, Ushane Dobson and Orgill started a build-up inside their own half, with the latter dribbling past three defenders. However, his shot at goal was blocked by another defender.

The Portland team suffered a huge setback at the 37th minute because they were reduced to 10 after a straight red card was shown to Orgill, who had been quite effective.

He was ejected for allegedly elbowing an opponent after being tugged and pulled while dribbling past a defender.

Both teams looked more relaxed in the second half, but it was Harbour View who took the lead in the 54th minute, when Petrekin fired a right-footer to the left of Randal Huie in the Georges goal.

Goal brings game to life

Ironically, the goal injected real life in the home team as the skilful Irving, Dobson, the overlapping Jermaine Taylor and James led relentless attacks for the better part of 10 minutes.

They were rewarded in the 63rd minute when Taylor (Jermaine) made a cross to James, who played the ball inside the six-yard box to Girvan Brown, who scored a header.

Harbour View had the final say following a defensive error. Campbell intercepted a back pass intended for Huie, then released the ball to substitute Ranique Muir, who passed into the goal amid calls for offside.

"There were some questionable calls, including the ejection of Orgill," said Raymond 'Munzie' Gordon, St Georges' assistant coach. "But I believe we played well."

"So far, we have had two tough games, but I believe Georges will bounce back in their next game."