Photo: Kemal Malcolm who scored the match winner for Arnett Gardens is being hounded by Waterhouse FC defender Shemar Dyer during the Red Stripe Premier League game atthe Waterhuse Stadium on Sunday. Arnett Gardens won the game 2-1 to move into second place on 35 points while Waterhouse remains rooted to the foot of the table on 15 points.
Defending champions Arnett Gardens edged a close contest between themselves and former champions Waterhouse FC 2-1 at the Waterhouse Mini-Stadium on Sunday to keep pace with league leaders Portmore United who drubbed FC Reno 5-1 in an early game on the same day.
It was like déjà-vu at opposite ends of the Red Stripe Premier League table as Arnett Gardens made it four straight wins to move into second place in the standings, while the Waterhouse misery continues unabated at the wrong end. Goals from midfielder Vishnul Harris and red hot striker Kemal Malcolm sandwiched a strike from substitute DeAndre Brown in a pulsating contest at Drewsland.
The game had a cagey beginning in which both teams showed each other respect, but it sprung to life when Harris ghosted passed his marker and went right through the middle of the Waterhouse defence, showing good composure to slot home beyond a hapless Akeem Chambers in the 28th minute, to make it 1-0.
The home team tried to mount a response through midfielders Kemar Beckford and Evan Taylor but found the Arnett Gardens, defence marshaled by Jabeur Johnson and Dicoy Williams almost impenetrable.
Two minutes before the interval, Beckford teed up Romario Campbell but the midfielder was unable to control his effort as the ball ballooned over the crossbar and into touch. A minute later Beckford had a quick shot on target, but it lacked the power to trouble Damian Hyatt in the Arnett goal.
In time added on at the end of the first half, Malcolm got ahead of his marker but managed to find the side netting from a position from which he should have scored.
The home team looked more purposeful after the break and just five minutes into the second period came close to grabbing the equalizer. Campbell released Beckford with a peach of a pass and the slippery midfielder caught it sweetly in his instep, but was unable to get it the right side of the goal as his shot rippled the side netting.
But in the 59th minute the home team drew level. An alert Campbell released second half substitute Brown inside the box with a cheeky free kick and the diminutive winger made no mistake, blasting home from close range to the joy of the home fans.
However the joy was short lived for the Waterhouse faithful as Malcolm broke their collective hearts when he scored in the 66th minute to make it 2-1.
Waterhouse had a glorious chance to grab a second equalizer on the night nine minutes from time, following a good team move. Campbell released the willing Brown, down the left flank and Brown’s cross was deflected into the path of fast arriving Kenroy Howell, by another substitute Jermaine Anderson, but the shot from Howell somehow went over the crossbar from almost on the goal line to the frustration of the Waterhouse players and fans.
It was a close as the Paul Young coached team would come to getting a share the spoils.
The visitors were then able to see out the contest to record their first win of 2016 and remain two points behind Portmore United in the hunt for semi-final spots.
Arnett Gardens coach Jerome Waite was pleased with the performance of his players while commending that of the home team, “The team has done creditably well today. Waterhouse on the other hand, I think they really played with a purpose today, they know that they are at the bottom of the table and they really put up a stunning fight.”
Waite is not getting carried away with his team’s position and is keeping a steady head as the business end of the season approaches.
“We are still two points behind the leaders Portmore (United), they won today and Mobay (United) plays tomorrow (Monday) so we just need to stay in touch as the season progresses,” he opined.
For Waterhouse it is back to the training pitch as they continue to try and lift themselves off the foot of the table.
Other results on the day were, Cavalier SC 3-0 Boys Town, Portmore United 5-1 FC Reno, UWI FC 1-1 Humble Lion and Rivoli United 0-0 Harbour View. The Monday night game features Montego Bay United hosting Tivoli Gardens at the Catherine Hall Sports Complex starting at 8:30 pm.
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