KINGSTON, Jamaica – Harbour View are winners of the first ever Concacaf Caribbean Cup match in a 1-0 final over fellow Jamaica club Dunbeholden in Group B action on Wednesday night at Sabina Park Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica.
The first half was largely dominated by Dunbeholden, who held a commanding 9-0 lead in shots, but nothing that was able to beat Harbour View GK Romario Palma.
Alex Gayle and Dean-Andre Thomas each had solid efforts in the 35’ and 39, respectively, and then Thomas with a hard crack at goal in first half stoppage time that required a heads up save from Palma.
At the other end, Harbour View’s best scoring opportunity was also close to halftime through Omar Thompson on a breakaway, but he never got off a clean shot due to the defensive prowess of Ricardo Thomas.
Dunbeholden remained on the front foot at the start of the second half and Rohan Brown was poised to finally break the deadlock with a header right after the hour mark, only to see Palma once again make the save.
Just when it looked like Dunbeholden would strike first, Harbour View had different ideas and scored the first goal in Caribbean Cup history in the 71’ when Garth Stewart headed back across goal and Gavin Burton was there to steer home a header of his own for a 1-0 lead.
Palma was called into action a few minutes later to keep Harbour View ahead, making a save from point-blank range on a Rojay Smith chance. Jonoy Cunningham also came close on a header but missed the target.
Dunbeholden threw numbers forward in the final minutes in hopes of salvaging a late draw and even had an Ewan Barton shot off the post in stoppage time, but Harbour View held firm to secure the three points.
