Photo: Vishinul Harris had a brilliant game in attacking midfield for Arnett Gardens as they overcame a determined Humble Lion 3-2 at the Effortville Sports Complex on Monday Night to win the tie 4-3 on aggregate and book a spot in the final with defending champions Montego Bay United on June 1.
The semi-final of the 1970 FIFA World Cup between Italy and West Germany is often referred to as the “Game of the Century”. The Red Stripe Premier League semi-final between Humble Lion and Arnett Gardens on Monday Night would certainly have come close, if not for quality, for sheer excitement, at the Effortville Sports Complex, in what was arguably the “Game of the season”.
A five goal thriller was a sumptuous meal served on a platter to a jam packed stadium. Three time champions Arnett Gardens left it until the 82nd minute before Marvin ‘Mr. Man’ Morgan found the winner, with a strike from the edge of the area that found the back of the net after slipping through the fingers of substitute goalkeeper Gariece McPherson.
Arnett Gardens strolled into Effortville supported by fans that filled seven chartered buses, knowing that they would have to be very clinical in front of goal if they wanted all three points, following their 1-1 draw at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex a week earlier.
The Jerome Waite coached team entered the game brimming with confidence, connecting the dots and spraying passes from one side of the field to the next. Clarendon based Humble Lion came under a slew of attacks from the Kingston based team forcing defenders to make last ditch tackles and giving up several corner kicks. The first real opportunity fell to the goal poacher, Andre Clennon whose thunderbolt of a shot whistled over the crossbar and into the starry night sky. The workman-like start pulled the traveling supporters behind them who cheered jubilantly with every attack made. In the 14th minute Vishinul Harris used his pace and ingenuity to get by two defenders down the right flank but his pass inside was booted to safety by Ricardo “Broomweed” Campbell.
In the 22nd minute, Renae Lloyd, whose vision is equal to that of a chameleon, picked out Harris with a peach of a pass. Harris then easily slipped by his marker but was taken down on the edge of the 18-yard box.
Harris, picked up from the turf by his fellow teammates, spotted the ball nicely, took a couple steps backwards, then placed his hands on his holster like a shooter from the “Wild Wild West.” His floated free-kick arched like an incredible rainbow, over the wall, to kiss the underside of the crossbar and bounce into the net. A delighted Harris screamed like a baby getting a new toy and ran to the end where the traveling supporters were to celebrate his goal.
Moments later Arnett’s talisman, Leon Strickland, who was basically making up numbers in the first leg, decided to better his performance. A pass was slipped through to him and he controlled it expertly, but he held his head in frustration as his thunderous shot smashed against the crossbar and went out for a goal kick.
Humble Lion is known for getting it right late in the first half and that was proven again as captain Wolry Wolfe and midfield maestro Ricardo Cousins got into a nice rhythm. As they took control of the game the home supporters showed their approval with loud sounds from their vuvuzelas with every pass made.
This positive response shook the rock solid defence of Arnett Gardens. The hosts were awarded a penalty in the 43rd minute when Lloyd brought down Kemiel Wolfe after hounding him consistently from midway the defensive third. Wolry Wolfe stepped up to score his third straight penalty, placing his shot to the left of goalkeeper Damion Hyatt to level the scores three minutes later than he did in the fist leg and in a similar fashion.
Waite did a replica of what Phil Brown did at Hull City in 2008, when he sat his players on the pitch in front of Humble Lion fans and handed out his half-time rollicking. This worked miraculously well as shortly after the resumption, Jabeur Johnson went low and connected with a redirected corner kick, sending his left foot shot into the net to restore the advantage to Arnett Gardens.
Cousins, a schoolboy stand out, a Premier League winner and one of the many players who once plied their trade in Europe, showed what a fine footballer he is, when he put Humble Lion level as he latched onto a chested pass from striker Devon Hodges to rocket a right foot screamer into the Arnett Gardens net.
This equalizing goal sent scores of spectators into a frenzy, with one supporter somersaulting over the perimeter fence and onto the field in ecstasy. He was however ushered back to the stands by a security officer who was close by.
Both teams pressed for that go ahead goal leaving tons of space in the middle. Lloyd was left holding his head in dismay as he watched his 30 yard screamer peel the paint from the crossbar.
Humble Lion Coach, Donovan Duckie, a clever magician, dipped in his bag of tricks and replaced custodian Damion Crooks, with National invitee Garice McPherson due to an apparent leg injury. However, in the 82nd minute of play, the goalkeeper somehow found Morgan’s shot too hot to handle and the ball escaped his grasp and trickled into the net. Immediately scores of spectators stormed out of the stadium hurling colorful words at the goalkeeper for his blatant error.
It was a bitter pill to swallow for coach Duckie as he crashed out of the competition and an early Christmas present for coach Waite as his team marched into the finals after winning 4-3 on aggregate. Arnett will now face Mobay United in the finals on June 1st at the National Stadium.
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