Share of spoils in JPL yesterday
Published:Tuesday | June 29, 2021 | 12:11 AMRobert Bailey/Gleaner Writer
Striker Oquassa Chong produced a stunning 30-yard free kick to guide Harbour View to a come-from-behind 1-1 draw with Waterhouse in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) at the Captain Horace Burrell Centre of Excellence yesterday.
Chong netted his goal in the 24th minute for the Stars of the East.
This was after Andre Fletcher had given Waterhouse the lead in the 15th minute from the penalty spot.
Harbour View head coach Ludlow Bernard was not surprised that he was able to put away this one quite comfortably.
“This is somebody that we would have converted to become a forward,” Bernard said. “It is a decision that I took based on frustration from the other players that would have played in the position.
“He is still learning his craft and I know that he loves to kick and whenever we got that opportunity, we knew that it was his and he just put it into the back of the net.”
Waterhouse dominated the exchanges and were rewarded when Kenroy Howell was tripped inside the 18-yards box by Harbour View captain Ajeannie Talbott.
POOR FINISHING
Fletcher then stepped to fire home past goalkeeper Tafari Chambers from 12 yards. The Marcel Gayle-coached Waterhouse dominated the second half but assistant coach Daniel Bennett says poor finishing let them down.
“It is a fair result but I think that if we were a little more clinical in front of goal in the final third, especially in the second half, then we would have all three points.
“I think that as we progress and as the season goes on, then we will definitely get better because this is not what we wanted, but all in all, we are okay with the results.”
In the opening match of the double-header, Vere United and Molynes United began their campaign with a 0-0 draw.
Both teams failed to score due their poor finishing and aggressive play at both end of the field. Molynes United head coach Calvert Fitzgerald said his team could have got all three points if they were more precise in front of goal.
“It is one point and we give thanks for it and this is something that we can build on going forward,” he said.
Vere head coach Donovan Duckie is pleased with his team’s efforts.
“It is a new project for Vere, and I am very surprised to how the youths have handled themselves because they have adopted very well,” Duckie said.