Harbour View coach hits out at JFF, PFJL

Harbour View coach Ludlow Bernard was fuming yesterday at having to play his Jamaica Premier League (JPL) game against Cavalier on the official Christmas Day.

Bernard pointed out that the game, which was scheduled to be a Boxing Day fixture, was actually played Christmas Day after the day was moved forward to December 26 as the 25th fell on a Sunday.

He argued that members of his staff did not show for the game and that it impacted their performance on the day.

“I want to say to the JFF (Jamaica Football Federation) and the PFJL (Professional Football Jamaica Limited) that I think it is a disgrace to play this game today (Monday).

“It really should have been played on another day and not today (Monday). Conditions were not ideal at all. Both teams were understaffed and both teams played below par,” he said.

“I made a protest and they did not even consider changing the date, so I am very disappointed about it,” he added.

“This is the festive season and we are not accustomed to this. They misread the situation. They (PFJL) thought December 26 would be Boxing Day but it is still Christmas Day.

“I bet none of them are here (Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex) or at home watching this game on television. So I am very angry about it,” he fumed.

However, PFJL CEO Owen Hill, who was present at the game, sympathised with the defending champions’ coach, but he insists they are currently strapped for time in getting the JPL schedule back on track following the World Cup break.

“It is unfortunate Harbour View is not in agreement with the game (schedule). In ideal circumstances no one would want to play but we had a month-long layoff for the World Cup, which is an anomaly and we want the fixtures to be adhered to in a timely manner because we are already behind the eighth ball,” he explained.

“If it was not today, it would have been a midweek game. But this was already on the fixtures from the start of the season, so while I understand Harbour View may have an issue, I think it was the best decision to play the game.

“Other teams had the same issues but we are not in a perfect world, we are just trying continue with the flow of football.”

Wasted opportunities

Meanwhile, Orlando Russell fired Cavalier in front after 19 minutes but Dwayne Allen’s own goal four minutes from the break earned Harbour View a point.

Nicholas Hamilton had the best chance to give Harbour View three points but he twice failed to hit the target minutes apart with only Jaedin White to beat.

Bernard said poor finishing was their downfall.

“It was an unfair result. We had the better of play and the better opportunities. This is by far one of our better games against Cavalier and we should have really taken the opportunity to convert a couple chances against them but it is good we are still unbeaten,” Bernard said.

His counterpart, Rudolph Speid, said they didn’t play their best game on the day.

“We never got going. We never played our patient passing game. But we played the champions and had to be a bit cagey but we could have played better,” Speid said.

Arnett Gardens and Vere United also drew 1-1 in the second match of last night’s double-header.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com