After weaving his way into an impressive Tivoli Gardens Line-up two years ago, Waheem Walker, a little more than an ordinary player, is now at Harbour View.

This week, the diminutive midfielder scored a remarkable volley from the edge of the 18-yard box 26 minutes into a Premier League game for ‘The Stars of the East’, giving them a much-needed victory over Waterhouse. The victory catapulted Harbour View to fourth place, a point above Waterhouse and keeps them in the hunt for the top spot.

 

Though winning the league at this point seems a long shot for Harbour View, Walker has provided a spark that was well needed. Two years ago, the midfielder was on the fringes of the Tivoli team, getting a game here and there before a few inspired performances and some injuries put him firmly in the starting team.

It was at that stage I noticed him, he was working hard, making tackles all over the park and getting involved in attacks in no uncertain terms. As a matter of fact, even before that, Walker was an important part of Tivoli’s last hold on the Premier league title and helped to stabilise the team when some of the big names like Steve Green went down hurt.

 

Earlier in the week, glimpses of that Walker were more than evident, but the little midfielder, who lit up the Harbour View mini-stadium, was missing for a long time.

You would have thought this story was about Walker hurting himself or something more serious but his inactivity came as a result of being ‘out of form’. In fact, Walker was not seen at all last year but he was still in the Tivoli squad.

Getting a game at Tivoli became increasingly difficult for Walker but as the saying goes, ‘Don’t cast your pearls at swine’, because Harbour View have taken the same footballer and are content enough with his form to have him start.

Granted, omissions like Kemeel Wolfe, Donald Stewart and Lovel Palmer may mean Walker was lucky, but the player, who turns 29 next month seems to understand how to grasp opportunities with both hands, and earlier this week he looked to be doing just that.

Speaking to the media after the game on Wednesday, Harbour View coach, Lenworth ‘Teacher’ Hyde said with the absence of ace striker Fabian Taylor, who has gone to a Norwegian club, other players will have to step up.

That has not been happening, which is one of the main reasons Harbour View are not closer to the top of the table. However, Walker is the type of player who likes to lead from the front, likes to take the responsibility and likes success.

 

Donald Stewart has been a stalwarth for Harbour View at central midfield for a long time and continues to do an admirable job. Walker plays that position and it will be difficult for him to dislodge the man they call ‘fouly’, however, the burly midfielder is getting older and Harbour View will need to find a suitable replacement. At 29 Walker has the requisite experience, he has played on championship teams, and he certainly has the skill to play the role. With the added advantage of being able to provide more support in attack than would ‘fouly’, Walker might just be the answer to Harbour View’s woes.