Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

Harbour View striker Kavin Bryan is bundled over by St Georges defender Omar Brissett in Cash Plus Premier League (CPPL) action at the Harbour View Mini-Stadium yesterday. The game ended in a 0-0 draw. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

St. George's heralded their arrival to local football's big times with a point in their first game, scrapping to a 0-0 draw with defending champions Harbour View in the inaugural fixture of the Cash Plus Premier League (CPPL) at the Harbour View Mini Stadium yesterday.

After seeing off several surges by the home team, the Portlasnd debutants gained themselves a round of applause for what they considered to be a job well done - a valuable point away from home, and against the champs at that.

"We knew it was going to be hard. We came here for a point, I think we were tactically ready for this fixture and I think the guys played well," said Georges coach, Donovan Duckie.

"This will do a lot for our confidence. We are on a bigger stage now, we need to lift our game and hopefully we will grow in confidence," he added.

Scoring opportunities

Though struggling to boss the new boys around in terms of possession in the first half, it was the home team that had the better of the scoring opportunities. Gregg Taylor saw his 20th minute header fisted away by Georges custodian Ralston Robinson. Veteran striker Fabian Taylor, who looked to be playing a little deeper than usual, did not need much space to blast his 30th minute strike from the edge of the 18 goalwards, but that shot was also stopped by Robinson.

The second half was a somewhat scrappier affair, with the title holders gradually gaining the ascendancy, while Georges hung on for dear life. Rafeik Thomas found himself with an early opening for the Stars of the East, but facing Robinson six yards away from goal, did not get enoug on his side-footed curling attempt. Captain Lovel Palmer must have thought his rasping 20-yard drive was headed for the back of the net, but the attempt came crashing back into play off the post.

Peeks

Taylor, who had a few more peeks at goal, must have been wondering what he had to do to find the back of the net after diving in to collide with keeper Robinson from a Loxely Thomas through ball, then saw the 68th minute attempt, which trickled goalwards, cleared off the line by St. Georges' Raymond Thompson.

"I'm a bit disappointed, I think we played well, I'm hoping it's just one of those early games. We went forward on a few occasions but just could find the net," was the assessment of Harbour View coach, Lenworth Hyde Sr.

"However, to be fair, St. Georges did well defensively. They had a lot of players behind the ball so it was tough for us to get through," he added.