Arnett Gardens missed a plethora of goals, but were still able to beat Harbour View 1-0 in their Red Stripe Premier League game at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex yesterday.
Former Harbour View defender Dicoy Williams showed the attacking players how it’s done by firing home from close range after a melee ensued from a corner kick in the 12th minute.
It was three valuable points for the “Junglists” in their first game of the season at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex, following a two-game ban of the venue as a result of punishment meted out to the team for an ugly incident in last year’s semi-finals.
Arnett Gardens were clearly the better team and deserved maximum points which pushed them two places into fifth on seven points. They are just two points, adrift of leaders Jamalco on nine points. Harbour View, who were losing their third game, remained in 10th spot on three points.
Arnett Gardens Coach Jerome Waite was pleased with the three points despite their profligacy in front of goal that kept Harbour View in the game.
“The first half we created numerous chances and Lennox Russell missed three clear opportunities and the youngster Damari Deacon also missed one. But overall, it wasn’t a bad game and it can only get better from here,” noted Waite.
It was a good result for the home team, still missing most of their established players, especially upfront in Vishinul Harris, Kemal Malcolm, Marvin Morgan, Leon Strickland, Renae Lloyd and Kenneil Hyde, but they displayed enough depth to secure their second victory of the season from four games.
On the flip side Harbour View’s woes continued as the “Stars of the East” turned in a pathetic display, lacking verve and style and never looked likely to score, even if they played for two days.
Head Coach Ludlow Bernard told the Jamaica Observer that he will have to go quicker than expected to ‘Plan B’, despite being this early in the season.
“It was really a very spineless performance from a bunch of players who probably don’t appear to have the ambition of being primary contenders in the league,” charged Bernard.
“We have a couple of players who have been out for a couple of reasons and I have to be very blunt; I may have to fast-forward them, and go against my plans and include them because it is very clear that with the adventure of some of the inexperienced players, it isn’t working out right now,” he added.
“Defensively we probably can cope, but this evening, for instance, it didn’t appear as if we were going to score,” he admitted.
Teams: Arnett Gardens — Damian Hyatt, Ranike Anderson, Jabeur Johnson, Dicoy Williams, Shawn McKoy, Lamard Neil, Jarmar Jackson (Dasha Satchwell 11th), Fabian Reid, Lennox Russell (Oneil Thompson 73rd), Damari Deacon (Neicko Williams 81st), Kimini Arbourne.
Subs not used: Jamar Martin, Shamar Pryce, Newton Sterling, Steve Clarke.
Booked: McKoy (84th)
Harbour View — Joel Johnson, Richcardo Harriott, Damarley Oliver, Daminan Anderson (Rosario Harriott 69th), Andre Messam, Dean Andre Thomas, Kemar Bennett, John Ross-Edwards (Bryan English 66th), Dario Stewart, Daniel Green, Ross Burton (Omar Palmer 46th).
Subs not used: Mark Bryan, Jaleel Chamberlain, Odane Samuels, Tevin Scott.
Booked: Stewart (62nd), Richcardo Harriott (90th+3)
Referee: Kevin Morrison
Assistant Referees: Garnett Page, Jassett Kerr
Fourth Official: Oshane Nation
Match Commissary: Michael Ricketts
Source: The Jamaica Observer