H View rue lowly position

Ainsley Walters, Gleaner Writer

IDOLISED not so long ago as the club with most resources, the best surface and stadium, as well as a magnet for players hoping to secure international contracts, Harbour View not only shone in their tidy business affairs as the 'Stars of the East', but also on the field, twice winning the Premier League in the last four seasons - 2006-07 and 2009-10, in addition to finishing third 2010-11.

However, past deeds count for nothing when a team is struggling in a new season - a fact which angry supporters brought out in colourful language after Wednesday night's 1-1 draw with newcomers Highgate United at the once-feared Compound in east Kingston.

Harbour View started the afternoon - the second slate of games in the second round of the Red Stripe Premier League - in ninth place on 15 points, facing Highgate, 10th on 13 points.

Fans probably expected a rout after former national striker Fabian Taylor met Romaine Lewis' cross from the left flank and his volley flew off his marker's forehead, wrong-footing goalie Rodney Hamilton for a wicked deflected goal with just 56 seconds on the clock.

However, any thoughts of an easy night flew out the window 27 minutes later when Romeo Parkes blasted in a low shot from the top of the penalty box, gifted a goal by a headed clearance which fell at his feet.

A draw on the road, "coming off a loss to Waterhouse", seemed to satisfy Highgate's coach, Michael Smith, but Harbour View's emotional Donovan Hayles was temporarily at a loss for words when his team's position, closer to the foot of the standings, was put to him.

"The win keeps eluding us," he finally said. "The team is doing well in the field but not getting goals. We just have to keep working."

However, he had an optimistic take on the fact that "the leaders are only five points away", but that was before he knew Portmore United had beaten Humble Lion 1-0 to move to 24 points, eight points ahead of his struggling team.

Fans following the day's other games were aware of those results and lashed out at Harbour View's lowly standing, eighth on goal difference, sharing 16 points with Reno - just above promoted teams Highgate and MoBay United, on 14 and 12 points, respectively.

Hayles brought it down to Harbour View also needing a change in their fortunes on the field.

"Luck is not with you all the time," he said. "You just have to keep working."