Hayles 'concerned' about home form

Ainsley Walters, Gleaner Writer

MONTEGO BAY United on Sunday took advantage of Harbour View's miserable form at home to move to ninth in the Red Stripe Premier League table - their best standing in 15 matches - after a 0-0 draw in a game they ended with 10 men in east Kingston.

The draw on the road moved Montego Bay to 16 points, ninth on goal difference ahead of Reno and two points clear of the relegation zone occupied by Highgate on 14 and Village United 11.

Harbour View were hoping to turn around their fortunes at Compound after winning 2-0 on the road at Reno last week. However, they had to settle for their eighth draw which has them seventh on 20 points, all of 10 behind leaders Portmore United who pushed their lead to five with a 4-1 mauling of Reno.

Surprisingly, Harbour View's Donovan Hayles said he was not worried with his team's position in the table.

"It's concerning but we're not worried," he said. "We're having a rough time at home, but we're not going to let it deter us. What's important is we didn't lose."

In a game of few chances, Jermaine Hue's long-range efforts from free kicks were the closest the homesters came to testing goalie Jacomeno Barrett.

Brazilian coach Neider dos Santos said Montego Bay's plucky performance, after losing Graeme Green to a red card in the 47th minute, confirmed improvement they have shown in five games.

"We came here to win but we had few chances. It was a difficult match but, considering the circumstances, we can't complain. In the last five games, we've drawn three and won two. That's a sign of improvement," he said.

"A point on the road is not bad," he added.

Neither team tested the 'keepers in the first half, but Hue twice brought out saves off 30-odd yard free kicks in the 50th and 76th minutes.

Another long-range shot, from midfielder Adrian Robinson, was Montego Bay's best effort, also in the second half, forcing Devon Haughton to parry a low shot from midfield at his right post.