Harbour View assistant coach, Sean Fraser, says his team is disappointed not to be going into the second leg of their Jamaica Premier League (JPL) quarter-final against Arnett Gardens with an advantage after dominating their more favoured opponents in a 1-1 draw at Sabina Park yesterday.
Trayvonne Reid gave Harbour View the lead from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time but Marlon Allen’s 79th-minute strike earned the ‘Junglists’ a draw.
“It is a good result but a bit disappointing because we created more chances and should have won the game,” Fraser said.
“This is the first half, so we have another half to go and it is just a continuation going into the second game. We gave up a goal which we shouldn’t have but we will bounce back,” he said.
Harbour View controlled the tempo in the first half but Arnett Gardens had the best chance when Fabian Reid headed over the bar from seven metres in the 43rd minute.
Harbour View grabbed the lead moments later when Trayvonne Reid left three defenders in his wake and was brought down inside the area. The former Tivoli Gardens player then calmly converted the spot kick to give his team the lead at the break.
Harbour View came out looking the better side but Marlon Allen had a glorious chance to equalise but his tame effort was blocked by Amal Knight in goal.
Kimani Arbouine came close and Ezran Simpson had a header cleared off the line for Arnett Gardens.
Colorado Murray then fired a great chance wide for Harbour View before putting an easier opportunity wide moments later.
They were made to pay for those misses when Allen outmuscled Shamari Dyer and fired past Knight.
Arnett Gardens coach Paul ‘Tegat’ Davis described the match as a game of two halves .
“Tonight was a game of two halves. The first half we came out looking lacklustre and Harbour View were sharper to the ball than us. We made a lot of errors, giving away the ball and that made Harbour View pressure us.
“Second half it was a total different game. We put the pressure on them and they started to turn over the ball and it was ours to win,” he said.
However, Davis is confident they will prevail in the tie. “We are going to win the second leg. We will beat them,” he stated.
The second leg will be played on Thursday.