Gordon’s brace hands Montego Bay crucial victory
Published:Tuesday | April 2, 2024 | 12:11 AMOrane Buchanan/Staff Reporter
MONTEGO Bay United took a big stride towards securing the sixth and final automatic playoff spot in the 2024 Jamaica Premier League season following their commanding 3-0 victory over Harbour View at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex yesterday.
With the victory Montego Bay drew level with Waterhouse on 40 points from 25 games. Waterhouse have a superior goal difference of plus 15 to Montego Bay’s plus nine. Both teams will have it all to play for on the final matchday, April 14.
Montego Bay started off their assignment against the struggling Harbour View on the front foot and opened their account in the fourth minute courtesy of a brilliant free kick from veteran striker Owayne Gordon. As the Neider dos Santos-coached team made their intentions known from the opening whistle, Harbour View grew slowly into the game and got their first goalscoring opportunity in the 12th minute but Omar Thompson’s powerfully shot soared high above the crossbar. Montego Bay’s Brian Brown came close to doubling his team’s score in the 29th minute but could only watch as his header missed the intended mark. As both teams traded goalscoring opportunities, Harbour View’s Andre Fagan found himself unmarked inside the six-yard box but failed to capitalise as his header from point-blank range went wide of the Montego Bay United goal.
In second-half action, chances were few and far between but when given the slightest opportunity Montego Bay United converted. This was evident in the 56th minute as Yohann Weatherly found the back of the net courtesy of a powerful right-footed shot. All hopes of a Harbour View comeback were laid to rest in the 85th minute as Montego Bay’s captain Gordon managed to convert from the penalty spot to ensure his team collected all three points on offer.
MOTIVATIONAL FACTOR
In his post-match interview, Gordon stated that he’s pleased with the opportunity to lead this group of players and added that his experience of playing overseas has been a big motivational factor not only for himself but his teammates.
“It’s an honour to lead such an amazing group. We have worked hard and whatever the results, we know that we have put everything into it. Players come to me with a lot of questions asking about how I manage to stay focused and things like that and it’s always great to share knowledge of the game with the guys,” Gordon said.
Ludlow Bernard, head coach of Harbour View, shared that conceding early in a match has been one their problems all season. Bernard added that with the chances Harbour View got in the game, they should have walked away with at least a point.
“This has been the story of the season but I thought that we could have responded positively after (the early goal). The sustained pressure and opportunities should have brought us back into the game,” Bernard said.