Village show grit at Harbour View
published: Friday | February 29, 2008
Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter
ACCORDING TO Village United coach Paul Davis, the Falmouth team's struggle to stay in the local top flight has become about more than just football.
"When you are at the bottom of the table trying to get up, away from relegation, it's not so much the football, it's about the fight the team shows," Davis said following a 2-1 win over defending league champions Harbour View on Wednesday evening.
"We are still at the bottom - we are nowhere as yet. We are looking for another eight games but we think that (avoiding relegation) can happen," he said.
Well on their way
After gathering a measly 13 points in their first 20 games, Village seemed well on their way out of the Cash Plus Premier League (CPPL).
Since Davis took charge as coach, the picture has looked a little different, though the Westerners have grabbed an impressive 13 points in five games. This included big wins over top teams Waterhouse, Tivoli and Harbour View.
In Wednesday's game, a dangerous-looking Village took the lead in the 15th minute courtesy of a Troy Smith penalty. Harbour View last man Jermaine Taylor had inadvertently handled the ball in the area, allowing Smith to step and coolly beat Harbour View custodian Dwayne Miller from the spot.
Taylor made amends in the 33rd minute through a spectacular diving header in the area. A determined Harbour View should have taken the lead on several occasions in the second half.
In the 48th minute, Rafiek Thomas saw his low, well-struck shot come crashing off the post and bounce across goal and he also failed to score with his follow-up effort.
The 'Stars of the East' paid the ultimate price for their wastefulness in the 70th minute when Village striker Fabian Dawkins, watched by four defenders, drifted in from the left flank and blasted to goal from a little outside of the 18-yard area.
Stunning save
Harbour View keeper Dwayne Miller attempted a stunning finger-tip save but the ball fell behind the custodian and was signalled to have bounced over the line by assistant referee Lloyd Edwards, much to the annoyance of Harbour View fans. However, Lloyd was well positioned to make the call.
"We got some chances. The team played well again but we lost the game, we were creating the chances but we didn't score - goals win games," said Harbour View coach Lenworth Hyde.
"I think we were a bit unlucky. We are working hard and training but our finishing keeps letting us down," he said.
Harbour View have found themselves in a lean spell as they have started the first three games of the third round winless, which has included two home losses. The loss saw Harbour View remain on 34 points but drop to fifth place behind Boys' Town, while Village remain 11th with 26 points but have made up ground in the bottom half of the standings.
