Arnett ambush Harbour View at the home as the RSPL gets going

Photo: Michaelos Martin celebrates his goal for Arnett Gardens against Harbour View in the RSPL. Arnett Gardens won the game 1-0.

Jerome Waite and his Arnett Gardens team got off to the perfect start in the 2014/2015 Red Stripe Premier League season with a 1-0 away win over former champions Harbour View at the “Compound” yesterday.

On a day when only four of the five originally scheduled games were played, the “Junglists” made an early statement of intent by being the only team to win away from home on the opening day.

The game got off to a quick start as both teams sought the early advantage and the first chance of the contest fell to Ricardo Davis of Harbour View but the forward failed to trouble Damian Hyatt in the Arnett goal, when he lobbed over the top from close range in the 7th minute.

It took Arnett Gardens all of 17 minutes to get their first effort and target and it proved to be the decisive one. New boy Jahmeel Thompson, who transferred from Tivoli Gardens during the offseason, whipped in the perfect cross from the left side and striker Michaelos Martin stole in ahead of the defenders at the near post, to head home past Levor Williams in the Harbour View goal.

The fast running Arnett team went on the hunt for more goals with another new boy, Marvin Morgan, proving to be a livewire upfront. He put a lot of pressure on the inexperienced backline of Harbour View, which was being marshalled by Christopher Harvey, the only starter from last season.

The home team did their best to come forward and captain Nicholas Beckett almost pulled them level when his free kick from 20 yards smacked against the crossbar and went out of play.

Morgan left the game late in the first half after complaining of a slight pain in his right hamstring. He was replaced by another speedy player, Kemal Malcolm who continued where his teammate left off.

Harbour View had a better second half but it took them until the 68th minute to get another clear effort on goal. Michael Hinds headed a right sided cross from Dejanni Isaacs into the ground and Hyatt then pulled off a spectacular save to tip over the ball over the bar with the ball on the way into the net.

Harbour View introduced Mckaully Tulloch midway the second half and this helped the home team take control of the game. For the first time, Jermie Lynch was able to get into the game and with both strikers feeding off each other chances started being created. One of those chances fell to Hinds in the 74th minute but his shot rebounded off the cross bar as Arnett live a charmed life.

Tulloch then got his first sight at goal in the 79th minute when he used his strength to turn a defender on the edge of the area but saw his effort go just wide of the post. Another second half substitute, Kevaughn Frater, also came close just two minutes later, when he rifled a shot just wide of the right upright from 25 yards out.

Arnett barely had time to recover before another Isaacs cross was tipped away by Hyatt and Lynch was unable to get the follow up on target.

Despite soaking up all of the pressure Arnett had the chance to kill off the game in the 89th minute when substitute Kirk Ramsey found himself one on one with Williams but the keeper pulled off a brilliant save to deny one of the league’s most potent strikers.

Another chance fell to Tulloch in stoppage time but Dicoy Williams blocked the effort as the visitors hung on to claim three crucial points.

Waite praised the efforts of the Harbour View team while he singled out his goal keeper for much praise. “It was a hard physical game and a spirited performance from Harbour View. Martin’s goal was well executed but the man of the match must be our goal keeper (Damian Hyatt). He kept us in the game when Harbour View increased their firepower.”

“It is still early days so there is still a lot of work to be done but we are happy with the win and the three points,” he concluded.

Arnett Gardens are currently in second place in the standings, behind Sporting Central Academy who lead on goal difference following their 3-0 drubbing of Boys Town.