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Harbour View in relegation trouble
December 31, 2024
Harbour View's spiral down the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) table has landed them in relegation trouble, with the 2022 champions sitting second from bottom with 12 points from 15 matches after Sunday's 1-0 defeat to Montego Bay United.
The Stars of the East gave up a late goal to lose the game and newly appointed coach Donald Stewart says the camp remains positive, but they are in need of personnel who can impact the game in the final third.
"Things are always positive. It is just that in the final third we are just not creating enough opportunities to score," Stewart said.
"So one of the issues is personnel and our main problem is in the final third, in how we create and set up opportunities for our teammates to score."
Stewart, a former Reggae Boy and long time coach at Harbour View, pointed out that they intend to delve into the transfer market when the January window opens, and that he is confident they can turn their season around.
"Things are always positive and we are looking for the change and we are going to get the change," he declared.
"It is not much of a struggle. It is about getting the right pieces together so we can apply (ourselves) and execute," he continued.
Harbour View started the season on a controversial note when they overlooked long-time assistant coach Sean Fraser in favour of physical trainer Mark Henry. This after former head coach Ludlow Bernard stepped aside.
Henry started fairly well with seven points from his first four games. However, things went down hill from there very quickly, as they went on a three-game losing streak.
That run was halted by a win over promoted Racing United FC early in November. But since then they have taken just two points from their last seven matches, and that run led to Henry getting sacked by the club later that month.
Former player Nicholas Beckett was brought in temporarily, replacing Henry, until Stewart was handed the task of reviving the club's fortunes this season.
After conceding at the 85th minute on Sunday against Montego Bay United, Stewart admitted he was disappointed to give up a goal in the last five minutes and to leave the game empty-handed. Their next match will be against Molynes United and Stewart says winning all three points will be crucial.
"Disappointed with the result, yes, but I am grateful for the effort and the hard work they (players) put in."
Looking forward to their next game, he said, "It is very important that we get three points against them."
