Nodley Wright, Gleaner Writer

Former champions Harbour View on Sunday separated themselves from the other teams in the Red Stripe Premier League, taking sole leadership of the competition following a 1-0 win over Waterhouse at Drewsland.

Damion Harwood was responsible for the strike in the 32nd minute which propelled Harbour View to their third consecutive victory and 19 points. They are followed by Boys' Town with 18 and Arnett Gardens with 17. Waterhouse, on the other hand, found themselves slipping to 10th position, as they were overtaken by Montego Bay United.

"I think we did very well in the first half. We got a goal and could have had another, and did not concede any, so we did what we were supposed to do," a pleased Harbour View coach Vin Blaine said after the game.

"The second half was not quite up to the same standard and in the last 15 to 20 minutes we found ourselves under pressure, which has been the case in our last couple of games, and this is something we have to address," he added.

Marcel Gayle, who again deputised for the "ill" Donovan Duckie, felt that his team did not report to the game in the right frame of mind.

"We were lacklustre in the beginning of the game," a disappointed Gayle said, reflecting on his team's performance.

"We lost concentration and allowed Harbour View to score and we just never regained our composure after that, even though we played better in the second half. We did not get it right today. We created chances but did not score," he lamented.

Faulty shooting

Harbour View were quick out of the blocks and had the better of the first half with Jermaine Hue looking his usual self. Harbour View had Waterhouse on the run and should have scored more than the lone goal, but were let down by faulty shooting and poor decision making.

Waterhouse had an improved showing in the second half as they went at the Harbour View backline, but Jermaine Anderson, captain Andre Clennon and substitute Gary McIntosh made poor choices in front of goal and squandered the opportunities to earn their team a share of the points.

"We deserved the three points and the win pushes us closer to securing a place in the end-of-round final with two games to go," Blaine said, even though his team was under pressure towards the end.

Gayle said losing the match at home was especially tough and that some rethinking will have to be done.

"This is a tough one to lose at home. We have to go back to the drawing board," said Gayle.