A missed penalty by Jermaine Hue resigned Harbour View to goalless draw with Reno in their Digicel Premier League clash at the Harbour View Mini Stadium on Sunday night.
Gifted with the ball in the second minute after Reno defender Orane Warren handled in the penalty area, Hue's shot was spectacularly saved by Gavin Barrett who, demon-strating quick reflexes and good positioning, had an excellent game in goal for the men from Westmoreland.
Penalty miss
The penalty kick, which was a rare miss for the Harbour View maestro who is the club's regular penalty taker, cost his team what turned out to be two valuable points, as in drawing the men from the east bequeathed sole leadership of the league to champions Portmore United, who joined them atop of the standings on 34 points.
Portmore, who were once again piloted by a goal from Trinidad and Tobago Pro-League campaigner, Roen Nelson, thrashed newcomers Meadhaven United 3-0 at Ferdie Neita Park. Tivoli, who fell 2-1 to mid-table contenders Arnett Gardens, are third on 31 points, while Boys' Town are fourth on 30.
"He missed, but that's how the game goes," said Harbour View assistant coach, Donovan Hayles, who for the second game running took charge of the team in the absence of Brazilian Waldemar De Oliveira, who is back home for the birth of his grandson. De Oliveira is expected back in the island today.
"Hue has been 100 per cent from the spot and it's just unfortunate for him. But the team sympathises with him.
However, in terms of performance, I am very pleased as the players gave 100 per cent effort," added Hayles, whose first match in charge against Rivoli ended in a 1-1 draw the previous week.
The penalty miss apart, Harbour View played an outstanding game and if were not for Barrett and some solid defending by Reno's backline, which was marshalled well by Patrick Graham, the homesters would have pocketed all three points.
Formerly with now-relegated premier league clubs Seba and Wadadah, Barrett, apart from the penalty, saved three point-blank efforts, one from the busy Kavin Bryan in the 55th, Lovel Palmer in the 59th and in the 75th minute a well-timed bicycle kick from Marcelino Blackburn.
Struggling
"We have been struggling over the last six games that we have played, including last Sunday (against Portmore) when we lost a game in the last four minutes of play. So to come here against the leaders of the league and get a point is a fantastic performance," said Reno coach, Wendell Downswell, who could have left the venue celebrating had the diminutive Troy 'Muta' Reid's 20-yard 90th-minute effort not hit the crossbar and rebound into play.
"Our focus will now be on our next two home games where we hope to get a couple of victories and get ourselves between fifth and sixth position," Downswell added.