By Nodley Wright, Staff Reporter
Arnett Gardens goalkeeper and captain Julian McLeish moves smartly to his right to pull off a brilliant save from Harbour View's captain Damion Stewart. Mcleish's brilliance ensured that the game ended 0-0. At left Harbour View's Jomo Gordon and Arnett Gardens' Cornel Chin-Sue look on. - Michael Sloley /Freelance Photographer
HARBOUR VIEW yesterday became the second team to qualify for the semi-final round of the Wray & Nephew National Premier League after playing to a 0-0 draw with third-placed Arnett Gardens at Harbour View Mini Stadium yesterday.
With the point earned from the draw, Harbour View moved to 56 points and cannot now be overtaken by any of the fifth and sixth-placed teams of Tivoli Gardens and Waterhouse.
Both teams are now on 43 points following 2-0 and 1-0 victories over Bull Bay and Wadadah respectively.
If they win all their remaining four matches they can end up on a maximum of 55 points. Arnett Gardens on 52 points need just a win or three draws from their remaining matches to secure their semi-final place. Village, who are in fourth on 48 points, need at least another seven to book their spot.
Village did not help themselves after falling to a 0-1 loss to the visiting Hazard United who won the game through a 34th minute strike from Roen Nelson who recorded his 25th goal of the season.
"We are already secured in the semi-finals," said Harbour View's coach Donovan Hayles. While he was happy with the fact that his team advanced he was clearly not pleased with their play, especially in the second half.
"I feel disappointed in our performance in the second half and the heat might have had something to do with it. I cannot complain, however, in that we have been scoring in all the other games and this is our first 0-0 draw," he continued.
Arnett Gardens' Jerome Waite said he was looking forward to getting three points from the game but was satisfied with the point which should push them closer to the semi-finals. What was not pleasing to him though was the overall performance of the team.
"The team did not pull together as a unit but goalkeeper Julian McLeish was brilliant and Shane Stevens had an excellent game," Waite said. He could have added another defender, Alex Thomas, who also had a good game.
Besides the performance of those players singled out, Arnett Gardens found themselves second best for almost the entire game. Harbour View started out the more composed and organised team as they launched attack after attack on the Arnett Gardens goal.
When the half time break came Arnett Gardens would have been very thankful for the excellent form showed by McLeish and two misses by forward Jomo Gordon which kept them in the game. Midfielder Daniel Shaw, who had a lovely first half, dismissed Cornel Chin-Sue and Jonathan Williams in the 18-yard box in the 11th minute and fired a left-footer which was tipped over by McLeish.
With just a minute to go before the half ended Shaw got another opportunity when Dino Williams made a lovely cross which he skied from about 10 yards.
Arnett Gardens got a little bit more in the game in the second half but were still no match for the home team who again were being kept out by the determination and brilliance of the Arnett Gardens backline. Shane Stevens showed great presence of mind to head clear a ball which seemed destined for goal after being struck solidly with the left foot by Jermaine Hue in the 73rd minute.
Three minutes later McLeish was at his best as a well directed header from Damion Stewart was blocked by him as he moved smartly to his right.
