In a Monday Night Football fixture filled with goals, comebacks and red cards, Molynes United and Harbour View played out a thrilling 2-2 draw yesterday at the Waterhouse Mini Stadium in Wray and Nephew-sponsored Jamaica Premier League action.
Ronaldo Barrett opened the scoring early for Molynes in the sixth minute before captain Nicholas Nelson doubled their lead in the ninth.
Harbour View pulled one back through the ever-reliable Trayvone Reid in the 29th minute before Rushane Thompson earned them a point with a strike in the 83rd.
Nelson, who scored his fourth goal since his return to Molynes, said it was a game of two halves but was thankful his team left the field with a point.
“As you can see, first half we played brilliant, but in the second half we drop asleep, although we got a red card. But we still fought through the game same way, and we have to give thanks for a point today,” Nelson explained in his post-match interview.
Molynes were quick of the mark, striking twice in the opening 10 minutes of the contest, stunning the Stars of the East.
Nelson was the provider for the first goal as his low cross into the box was met by Barrett, who had the simple task of guiding the ball home from point-blank range.
Molynes were gifted the opportunity for their second as an onrushing Rashawn Livingston was brought down in the penalty box, allowing Nelson to convert from the spot and double Molynes’ lead.
Molynes looked to have built an unassailable lead as, despite pressure from Harbour View, they held steadfast defensively.
Their resistance would not last long, however, as Reid showed his prowess from the dead ball to place yet another free kick into the back of the net this season.
Molynes’ afternoon went from bad to worse. In first-half added time, Dhumar McLaughlin was shown two yellow cards in quick succession.
The player was handed the first yellow card for a late challenge on Devonte Allen and was shown the second yellow just seconds later for dissent, following the referee’s decision.
Down to 10 men, Molynes could not stave off the waves of Harbour View pressure and found themselves pegged level in the final 10 minutes of the game as Thompson capitalised on a spilled ball from the goalkeeper.
Harbour View also ended the game with 10 men when Reid was given his marching orders in time added for an errant foul.
With the result, Molynes remain 11th in the standings, moving to 24 points, while Harbour View remain just inside the relegation zone, sitting 13th with 21.
