Photo: Shamar Bernard of FC Reno closes in on Andre Messam of Harbour View during the Red Stripe Premier League game on Sunday at the Harbour View Mini-stadium. Reno won the game 1-0 to go top of the RSPL on 7 points.
FC Reno surged to the top of the Red Stripe Premier League on Sunday when they clipped hosts Harbour View 1-0 at the Harbour View Mini-Stadium to secure their second win of the season and moved clear at the top on seven points.
After a goalless draw on match day one, the team from the West has secured similar 1-0 wins in the space of four days, having replayed the rained out game against Humble Lion on Thursday. The Wendell Downswell coached outfit, surprisingly took the game to the home team, creating the early chances in what was a rather tame opening to the encounter.
The first clear chance fell to Kadeem Stone but he dragged his effort wide of the far post from inside the area. This seemed to wake up the sleepy Harbour View team who responded immediately through Kemar Bennett who saw his near post effort go inches wide of the upright.
Kavar Walker was the next to miss for Reno when he was left unmarked inside the area, but failed to get his flicked header from a free kick on target. Harbour View was living dangerously, allowing the Reno players time and space in and around the goal area.
Harbour View’s captain, Rosario Harriott then made a brilliant move down the right flank before crossing to Daniel Green who watched in agony as his goal bound effort stung the fingertips of Dennis Taylor before going behind for a corner kick.
Both teams continued to press for the opening goal but neither was able to unlock the opposition defence as the half ended nil all.
A frenetic opening to the second half saw Reno captain spurn two chances to take the lead in a matter of moments. Renorio Downswell was played in on goal in the 48th minute, but his shot ricocheted off the base of the upright and in an effort to chase down the ball and clear the danger Richardo Harriott bundled over an opposition forward, giving away a penalty which was signalled by the assistant referee.
Downswell took the responsibility from the spot but Mark Bryan guessed correctly, diving to his left to effect the save.
Five minutes later Afina Chambers was guilty of squandering another chance for the visitors when he headed wide of the post from close range and was left holding his head.
Substitute Romario Smith then spared the blushes of his teammates when he produced a special strike from distance that flew beyond the despairing dive of Bryan and into the roof of the net to make it 1-0 in the 76th minute.
Forced into action, Ludlow Bernard rang the changes for Harbour View, throwing everything including the kitchen sink at them, but Reno stoutly defended their slim lead for the remaining minutes to move into pole position in the league.
Head coach Wendell Downswell credited the condidtioning of his youthful team for the result. “You just have to credit it to the level of preparation that we have had, to play against Humnle Lion at Frome on Thursday and then come here and get this other result is fabulous so its a brilliant start for the club. We have a very competitive young squad. Young Romario Smith scored a brilliant goal, he is only 18 years old so he has a bright future.ahead of him.
“We have a western derby at home against Montego Bay United so we will go home and get some rest and then prepare for that,” he concluded.
This is the second loss for Harbour View this season and they will be hoping to get back some of their senior players just returning from overseas back in the team, very soon.
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