Boys Town FC defeated fierce rivals Arnett Gardens FC 4-2 in a pulsating quarter-final matchup in the Yellow Pages/Jackie Bell Knock Out competition at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex on Wednesday night.
Boys Town held a comfortable 3-0 lead with less than sixty minutes played, before Arnett Gardens stormed back with two quick goals to work their way back into the tie. The Jerome Waite coached team then spurned two opportunities to draw level from the penalty spot, before they had the stuffing knocked out of them in stoppage time, as Boys Town booked a semi-final spot against Harbour View.
In a game in which the referee awarded three penalties, Boys Town, who had the faster start of the two teams, went ahead from the spot with only seven minutes on the clock. Striker Rafiek Thomas, who was brought down in the box, dusted himself off to slot home past Peter Harrison to stun the home fans.
The Red Brigade continued to boss the game as they dominated the midfield while exploiting spaces created on the flanks. They doubled their lead when teenage sensation Shamar Nicholson headed home in the 32nd minute from a right sided cross. It was the striker’s first game since being released from the national under-20 squad.
Arnett Gardens continued to struggle to get a foothold in the game being played in slippery conditions caused by heavy afternoon rains. They failed to register a single shot on target in the first 45 minutes as Boys Town went in 2-0 at the break.
On the resumption, Nicholson showed a moment of brilliance that belied his age, exhibiting great composure to score his second and put Boys Town 3-0 up in the 53rd minute.
Played in by Garfield Gillespie, the lanky striker wrong footed his marker before cutting inside onto his right foot and setting himself before unleashing a powerhouse of a shot to the far corner, beyond the despairing dive of Harrison.
Second half substitutes for Arnett Gardens, Marvin Morgan and Kevin ‘Pele’ Wilson then helped the ‘Junglists’ back into the encounter with their pace and inventiveness. Morgan with his driving runs through midfield helped to create space for his teammates.
Arnett got one back just three minutes after Nicholson’s second of the game to give themselves a chance of a comeback. Wilson received a ball on the edge of the area and his left footed drive into the roof of the net meant they were still in the game.
Andre Clennon and Wilson were keeping the Boys Town defenders on their toes. Leon Strickland, who has been in good form for Arnett, then reduced the deficit to just one when he produced yet another good strike in the 59th minute to make it 3-2.
Three goals in six minutes had turned the tie on its head and had the fans buzzing in the stands.
Arnett then had a glorious opportunity to draw level in the 70th minute but Andrew Phang, who had been perfect from twelve yards this season, struck a poor penalty which Leon Goffe dived to his right to save easily.
Six minutes later a Morgan shot just evaded the far post as Boys Town rode their luck with the Arnett pressure building by the minute.
With Arnett hunting an equalizer a Jabeur Johnson error let in Thomas who had the chance to kill off the game but his shot went the wrong side of the post as Johnson and Arnett Gardens breathed a sigh of relief.
Arnett Gardens were given yet another opportunity to pull level when the third penalty of the game was awarded for handball in the area.
Wilson stepped up to take the spot kick but his effort went high and wide of the goalkeepers left upright to the surprise of the home fans who left in droves as soon as the ball went into touch.
Two minutes into stoppage time Peter Keys killed off the tie when he side-footed home an Andre Dawson cross to make it 4-2 with 2 minutes of added time left to play.
The final whistle brought scenes of joy from the travelling supporters who had made the short journey up Collie Smith Drive.
Andrew Price who only a few days ago was lamenting how cruel the game of football could be, was saluting the effort of his troops.
“It was a gutsy performance from the team tonight,” he said. “The best is yet to come from Boys Town. The older players need to carry the younger players along. We survived two innocuous calls for penalties but our effort was good.
“The team needs to start believing in themselves. The younger players got laid back and let Arnett back into the game but we always looked like we would get the clincher, which we did.”
Jerome Waite described the loss as cruel.
“It was cruel on us. We missed two penalties and that pretty much cost us the game. The substitutions got us back in the game. We should have been ahead before they got the fourth goal. Wilson made a huge difference for us tonight and he will still have a role to play as long as he stays healthy.”
It was Boys Town’s second win in three games this season, in all competitions against Arnett. They will play yet another fierce rival in Harbour View in the semi-finals as the Stars of the East edged Tivoli Gardens 2-1 in the early encounter.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login