LeVaughn Flynn, Staff Reporter

Palmer

Lovel Palmer's stroke of luck continued in the Digicel Premier League (DPL), when the Harbour View midfielder notched his second straight game-winner, creating a goal out of nothing.

He did it two Sundays ago against Meadhaven United in the 83rd minute, when his free kick swerved into the top corner of his opponent's goal for a 2-1 win.

On Sunday night, Rivoli United's goalkeeper, Leighton Murray, a former Harbour View player, was left dumbfounded at the Harbour View Mini Stadium after Palmer's simple floater in the key from 35 yards out slipped right through his hands, gifting Harbour View a 1-0 result and Palmer his fourth goal of the season from as many games. Harbour View now have 10 points from three wins and a draw.

Palmer is the DPL's leading scorer and he credits it to his game preparation.

"If one training session pass and I don't score I feel bad within myself and I guess it's just manifesting itself in the game with me scoring goals - even if it's by the goalkeeper error I'm very grateful," he said.

Preparation is key

Palmer also said the mental preparation by the club's Brazilian coach, Waldemar de Oliveira, is key to his great early season form.

"Coach makes me feel confident like I'm invincible. So I just go out there and do the work - if the goalkeepers miss, I hit," Palmer stated.

"I said to coach 'this one is for you. You were coach of the month last month and you'll be getting a lot more'."

Palmer almost got a legitimate goal in the second minute when he rifled one from just outside the 18-yard box. Murray was alert, however, tipping it away from the danger area. He was also on point again around the 15th minute to block a point-blank shot from Nicholas Beckett.

Unexpected soft goal

Only a minute before conceding Palmer's goal, Murray displayed the agility and alertness of an experienced 'keeper when he punched away a cracker from Richard Edwards. But no one saw that soft goal coming, which led to Rivoli's second defeat of the season and kept them on four points.

"We didn't fall short anywhere - that goal should have never scored. Unfortunately we let Harbour View off the hook," said Rivoli coach Anthony Thompson. "We should have even got a point from this game."

Rivoli showed much improvement from their first game against Portmore United and had their fair share of goalscoring opportunities.

Devon Hodges, Derrick Planter and Marlon Edwards all had good looks at goal, but were denied by Harbour View custodian Dwayne Miller. Midfielder Luke Soares also showed some vision in initiating the attack.

Rivoli had their best chance in the second half, when Hodges struck one a few metres from goal but collided with Miller in the process.

Moments later, Palmer would have little difficulty in scoring.

"We had them where we wanted them. It was an evenly contested game. A goal like that in a wonderful game like this should have never scored," Thompson bemoaned.

"We performed quite well. We are playing better and better each game. It is a great improvement, we just should have never lost this game."