Barrett happy with birthday goal

Nodley Wright, Gleaner Writer

Former national striker Fabian Taylor on Sunday robbed Carlos Barrett of a happier birthday, when he struck for Harbour View in the 54th minute to give the Stars of the East a 1-1 draw in their National Premier League match against Waterhouse, at Harbour View Mini Stadium.

Barrett, who was celebrating his 25th birthday, struck a beautiful angular shot across his namesake, Michaud Barrett, to give Waterhouse a 1-0 lead on the stroke of half-time and wished himself a happy birthday.

The younger brother of former NPL standout out, Layton, sent the Waterhouse fans into a frenzy just minutes after they were in the dumps following the ejection of Jermaine Anderson.

"I saw myself scoring two goals on my birthday, but I got just one and I am happy with it. I was really hoping that we would have got the three points but that is how it is, I am thankful for the goal, and I hope to get some more," a then relaxed Barrett said at the end of the game.

Disappointed man

While Barrett had some happiness about his performance and his team's point - which lifted them to 11 - Harbour View coach Donovan Hayles was a disappointed man. He rued the fact that his team have only managed two points from their last three games at home, as they now have nine points to be sixth, two places below Waterhouse.

"It is very disappointing because we have dropped too many two points in games and games that we were supposed to wrap up. Waterhouse were down to 10 players, but with 10 or 11 players we were supposed to win because we were all over the Waterhouse team," Hayles said.

"When they had 11 players on the field, we had about three clear chances to win early in the game and should have scored even one of the three chances, and that set the tone for the rest of the game. We had to play catch up," added Hayles, who said that his team may still have a mathematical chance of advancing to the end of first-round final.

Despite the absence of their most creative player, Jermaine Hue, Harbour View had Waterhouse on the run and should have taken the lead had it not been for faulty shooting and the bravery of the impressive Kelso Cousins in goal for Waterhouse.

With Anderson earning himself an early shower, Harbour View were expected to drive Waterhouse into the ground, but it was the visitors who looked more dangerous towards the end of the half as captain Vincent Earle and Barrett combined well.

It was no surprise when Barrett took the lead heading into the half and it looked as if Waterhouse were learning from Arnett Gardens, who had beaten them in midweek.

Harbour View captilalised on a lucky break in the second half when Earle was fouled and lost possession of the ball. Referee Courtney Campbell waved play on and Harbour View went on to score as Joel Senior found Taylor, who swept home in one motion.

Both teams made a number of changes thereafter, but were unable to break the deadlock as both teams remained off the pace.