Shelton the focus as Mount Pleasant clip Harbour View
On a night when former Harbour View player Luton Shelton was the centre of attention, it was the visiting Mount Pleasant FC that left the Harbour View Stadium in the best mood, after an entertaining 2-1 win in their Monday Night Red Stripe Premier League contest.
Shelton, recently came public with his ALS diagnosis and the management and fans of his old club wanted to play their part in raising support for the all-time leading national goalscorer.
The evening was not without hiccups, as many fans, who purchased tickets and officials struggled to, or were denied access to the venue due to a lack of proper access control management and communication.
Shelton received special prayer before the kick-off and a number of financial presentations were made to help offset his medical expenses at half-time, including a $5 million grant from the government of Jamaica.
On the field of play, both teams started well, but despite several close calls, including a double assault on the Harbour View crossbar, neither team could find an opening in the first half.
The breakthrough did arrive in the 51st minute, when the Harbour View defence failed to properly deal with a long pass out of the Mount Pleasant midfield. Striker Devon Hodges manhandled his marker between squaring the ball to Cardel Benbow, who slotted his shot beneath the onrushing goalkeeper.
SLOPPY HARBOUR VIEW
“I know I have to keep working hard and executing on the field,” said Man of the Match Benbow, who also noted that his team is looking to win the league in their first season in the top flight. “I am enjoying things at Mount Pleasant, my teammates make me feel good, we are like a family.”
“We will give it out best shot, we are going for the league, that is our aim,” he added.
Hodges got his own name on the scoresheet when he popped up at the back-post to make the most of more sloppy Harbour View defending, doubling the St Ann team’s advantage.
Mark Alves pulled one back in the 70th minute, threatening a blockbuster finish, but Mount Pleasant’s lead was never really tested for the remainder of the game.
Mount Pleasant returned to the top of the table, joining Portmore United on 13 points, while Harbour View remained second to last on 4 points, and will have to wait for their second win this season.
Harbour View coach Ricardo ‘Bibi’ Gardner, who had Peter-Lee Vassell among the absentees, is, however, not getting too worried and believes, he saw enough to trust his guys to turn their season around.
“We have some decent players, who can get the job done. We conceded some sloppy goals and we didn’t take advantage when the opposition was playing in our hands. We were decent in the first half defensively, but I think we can move the ball better and we can improve in possession,” said Gardner. “It’s early, sometimes it’s not how you start, but how you finish and with the players we have, we have to continue working and believing we can get it done.”
Gardner also had some positive words for Shelton: “He’s (Shelton) a great individual, we are happy to have him here, we have to embrace him and show him all the love and we still have faith that the Almighty will keep him strong and we are still here for him.”