Hurbun Williams | Jamaica Observer
Arnett Gardens gained a spot up the ladder of the Red Stripe Premier League standings to fourth on 20 points following a hard-fought yet disciplined 2-0 win against Harbour View at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex on Sunday.
Goals by Andrew Phang (56th minute) and Vishinul Harris (80th) helped to dig Arnett Gardens out of a hole as anything other than a win would have severely hampered their progress.
Defeat on the other hand for Harbour View has tossed them down the standings from fourth to fifth on 19 points. This is an indication of how competitive the second stanza of the RSPL will become for the 12 competing teams in the remaining 10 or so matches.
Despite the scoreline, the game was much closer as a battle of attrition was the order of the day as before the game, the teams were separated only by two points — Harbour View holding a very tenuous edge with 19 points to Arnett Gardens’ 17.
When FIFA referee Courtney Campbell sounded the whistle to end the game, it was utter delight for coach Jerome Waite after his team had completed the double after clipping Harbour View 1-0 in their first meeting this season.
“It was a performance that will make any coach proud,” Waite beamed afterwards.
“The players came out and they played with a purpose. That was the result of some hard work that we put in over the past few days. They really put up a stunning fight to repel the challenge of Harbour View, who themselves played very well,” said the veteran coach.
His opposite number Andrew Hines lamented the fact that his forwards did not complement the grand effort of his defenders. “It was not the result that we were working towards, but I thought we played very well; well enough to have come away with at least a point. It was unfortunate that we had to give up that penalty.
But things do happen in football like that. And to add to this, we were not scoring the chances and we made a substitution. That, however, did not work so we had to substitute the substitute,” said the former Harbour View stalwart.
Teams
Arnett Gardens — Peter Harrison, Dicoy Williams, Jabuer Johnson, Oneil Thompson, Vishinul Harris (Paul Doyle 87th), Dasha Satchwell, Jahmeel Thompson, Leon Strickland, Steve Clarke (Kevin Wilson 80th), Andre Clennon, Andrew Phang (Jason Moore 61st).
Subs not used: Damian Hyatt, Jerry Walter, Jarmar Jackson, Jamar Martin
Booked: None
Harbour View — Lavor Williams, Rosario Hyatt, Christopher Harvey, Daminan Anderson, Seviro Murphy (Jorginho James 40th [Dejanni Isaacs 72nd]), Nicholas Beckett, Kevaughn Frater, Ranique Muir, McKaully Tulloch, Donovan Edwards (Kimani Birmingham 87th), Damion McNeish.
Subs not used: Michaud Barrett, Ricardo Davis, Damarley Oliver, Vasbert Harry
Booked: Beckett (19th), McNeish (56th)
Referee: Courtney Campbell
Assistant Referees: Kedlee Powell, Princess Brown
Fourth Official: Dwight Royal
Match Commissary: Ainsley Sharpe