Miller soaring above the pain

André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

National goalkeeper Dwayne Miller diving to complete a stop during a Reggae Boyz training session at St George's College, last week. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

When Vincent Earle unleashed a 23-yard pile-driver, a large portion of the masses that had packed the National Stadium's grandstand during Sunday night's Digicel Premier League (DPL) second End-of-Round final between Harbour View and Waterhouse, were already on their feet waiting to celebrate a goal.

Scurrying to his left, his 6' 3" frame fully extended, Harbour View's goalkeeper Dwayne Miller went soaring through the air as the tip of his fingers managed to deflect the ball around the left upright.

That save protected the 1-0 lead - the final scoreline - the team had gotten through Lovel Palmer's 13th minute goal.

It was a match-winning moment, one of sheer brilliance from an exceptional talent.

Impressive performances

Miller, a product of Seaforth High School and York United in St Thomas, has been nursing an injured shoulder for several months. But that has not hampered his displays between the sticks for his club and country, as he continues to deliver a series of impressive performances.

Talking about the particular save, a smiling Miller credits his much-talked-about form to the work he has been doing with Harbour View's goalkeeper coach, Clive Wedderburn, on a day-to-day basis.

"I saw it (ball) a little late but I was always confident I could get to it in time. I have been training well all week with coach Wedderburn, so I came into this game feeling very sharp. Thankfully, I was able to come here and execute," said Miller.

The custodian, who has been staking a strong claim for the number one shirt in the national senior team, was happy with his latest triumph with the 'stars of the east', but is conscious of the fact that there is still a long way to go if they are to finish the season as DPL champions.

"It's a joy whenever you win any trophy at all, so it's just another one of those moments," Miller shared. "We are going to enjoy this moment for now before we get back into training and focus on the bigger thing to come."

An ice pack wrapped around his shoulder immediately after the game indicates that the injury remains for the 22 year-old. He is, however, hoping to have the problem corrected in the near future.

Said Miller: "I am working on it (injury), myself and physiotherapist Karen Julius. Hopefully, it will get there in a little while."

And quite naturally, the youngster, like most of his peers, is hoping to ply his trade in an overseas league in the not too distant future.

"As a player I do have ambitions to reach the highest possible level so my ambition is definitely to play at the highest possible level."