Coaches rue Montego Bay-Harbour View draw

Paul Reid

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

CATHERINE HALL, St James — Montego Bay United and Harbour View failed to make up ground on the leaders after playing to a 1-1 draw in their third round Red Stripe Premier League game at the Montego Bay Sports Complex on Sunday.

Damion Harwood gave Harbour View the lead in the sixth minute before defender Rohan Bernard equalised for Montego Bay United in the 39th minute.

The draw was Harbour View's 13th of the season and Montego Bay United's 11th.

With Humble Lion's loss extending their winless run to five games, the point moved Harbour View into fifth place on 37 points, one more than the Clarendon side, while Montego Bay United are stuck in seventh place on 35.

The draw extended the home team's streak to 17 straight games since their last loss, but they have only won six times over the duration and are still winless in the third round.

While not being happy with the point, Montego Bay United's coach Neider Dos Santos said his primary aim is getting to the top-six .

The Brazilian said they were still making too many mistakes and can't afford to give up goals and then chase the game. "We are giving away too many goals as gifts and having to play to catch up is too hard," he said.

Harbour View coach Donovan 'DV' Hayles rued the dropped points. "This is not good... the leaders are getting further away and today (Sunday) we missed a classic example to make up ground," he noted.

Despite being 14 points behind the leaders Portmore United, Hayles said he was not giving up the chase just yet, but conceded "it will be difficult but not impossible".

After winning the first meeting this season and drawing at home, Harbour View went ahead after the Montego Bay United defence missed a cross from the left and the unmarked Harwood, slotted home from close range past goalkeeper Neil Lynch.

Allan Ottey almost broke through the Harbour View defence in the 36th minute, forcing his way through two defenders, but was hustled off the ball by a defender.