Arnett surge to top of RSPL with seventh consecutive win

Photo: Leon Strickland on the go for Arnett Gardens in the Collie Smith Derby at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex last night. Arnett defeated Boys Town 2-1 to move to the top of the Red Stripe Premier League.

Arnett Gardens continued their fantastic winning streak in the Red Stripe Premier League last night when they got the better of arch rivals and near neighbours Boys Town 2-1 in yet another, exciting, engaging and fierce Collie Smith Drive Derby at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex. The win moved Arnett into first place with 35 points, two more than defending champions Montego Bay United.

Arnett started the game like a house on fire and went ahead after just three minutes when former Boys Town player Marvin Morgan slotted home from close range. Kenniel Hyde went past his marker on the left and crossed the ball for Leon Strickland who headed it back to the feet of Morgan who could not miss from 5 yards.

Rafiek Thomas got a chance right after to level the score line but his tame effort was cleared off the goal line.

Boys Town’s response to conceding was impressive as they took control of the midfield, camping in the Arnett Garden half and putting the home team under pressure..

The Red Brigade peppered the Arnett goal from outside the box but was unable to find the equalizer in a game that was very fast paced.

The match became a very even contest despite the early goal and after the first half an hour past it was a contest that was exciting with both teams really pressing the ball.

Most of the ball was being seen by the midfielders as the game was really a battle of both midfield. Both teams were not so good in the final third but it was some very good defending on the part of both teams.

Boys Town was looking good in the final two minute before the first half with Xavian Virgo defending well and had some dangerous crosses into the Arnett Garden box.

The half ended with Arnett Garden leading 1-0.

In the second stanza Boys Town came out pressing the ball and was quickly getting back the ball when they lost it.

Xavian Virgo was having a good game with his crosses crying out for a touch most of the time but there were no Boys Town player to meet any of the deliveries from the wing back. His spell of teasing crosses was really knocking on the door of Arnett and the defense was living on their luck.

Arnett Garden was gifted a second goal and it was Andre Clennon who gave the ‘Junglist’ a two goal advantage.

Clennon’s hard work paid off in the 67th minute when Victor Thompson passed the ball to goalkeeper Leon Goffe who could not clear the ball before Clennon closed the space to intercept and boot the ball into an empty net.

Boys Town coach Andrew Price was not happy because the referee did not blow his whistle for Clennon showing his studs.

After the goal it became a one sided affair as Arnett dominated possession.

Two red card were shown to Xavian Virgo and Renae Lloyd for pushing each other in the 86th minute, in what look like something personal between the two players.

Boys Town did get back a goal in the 88th minute when Damion Benjamin fired home a shot from inside the box to cut the deficit.

Arnett managed to survive five minutes of stoppage time and extend their unbeaten streak to seven games dating back to the last game of the first round.

Jerome Waite acknowledged the role played by Boys Town in another great derby.

“Boys Town came with a purpose,” he said. “They played some really good football and really tested us tonight. We have to give credit to them, but in the end we got the three points because we did just enough to get them.”

“We laid back too much in the second half and let them back in the game but in the end it was a good win even though they got a late goal.”

Andrew Price had nothing but high praises for his valiant soldiers.

“It was a really good game. It isn’t often that you lose a game and don’t really feel disappointed. We will learn from the mistakes we made tonight but we can be heartened by the overall performance of the team. If we had a little more time we probably could have gotten something from the game.”

The loss for Boys Town means they remain in 10th place on 16 points, one above the drop zone.