Photo: Kemal ‘Tull’ Malcolm blows by Oshane Jenkins in the Red Stripe Premier League game between Cavalier SC and Arnett Gardens at the Stadium East Field on Monday Night. Malcolm scored his 11th goal of the season to lead Arntett Gardens back to the top of the league on 46 points, one ahead of Montego Bay United.
A 44th minute poachers goal from Kemal ‘Tull’ Malcolm was enough to send defending champions Arnett Gardens back to the summit of the Red Stripe Premier League when they edged hosts Cavalier SC 1-0 at the Stadium East Field in the latest edition of Monday Night Football.
The win lifted Arnett Gardens to 46 points, one above former champions Montego Bay United in what is turning out to be a fascinating race in the premier league. The result sees Cavalier SC who began match day 24 in 7th position slip two places to 9th and they must now be looking over their shoulders as they slip closer to the relegation zone.
Both teams got off to a bright start, with Leon Strickland releasing Malcolm down the right channel, just in front of his marker in the 4th minute, but the speedy striker was unable to get his strike on the frame while under pressure from Oshane Jenkins.
Three minutes later Chevone Marsh picked out Cleon Pryce whose sublime first touch allowed him to fire off a quick shot that stung the palms of Damian Hyatt in the Arnett Gardens goal. The rebound fell to Pryce but the striker’s second effort went high over the bar.
Cavalier grew in confidence after the early exchanges and had the better of play, creating a few half chances but failed to test Hyatt despite their territorial advantage.
With just under 15 minutes to the interval, the influential Marsh slipped by Jabeur Johnson before firing off a left footed strike just past the far post and was left holding his head after the near miss.
Strickland tried his luck from distance shortly after, but his shot which had the better of the goal keeper was always going wide.
A 35th minute free kick from Marsh was just begging for a touch to steer the ball goal wards but it was just out of the reach of Pryce.
But on the stroke of half time the visitors grabbed the all important lead. The overlapping Ranike Anderson fired a ball across the face of the goal just beyond Strickland, but the ball was played back into the area and Marvin Morgan saw his shot that was headed for the top right corner parried back into play by the goalkeeper. Like a flash of light, Malcolm responded, poking home from close range to put Arnett ahead.
Arnett Gardens began the second half on the front foot but failed to create many real opportunities before attacking midfielder Vishnul Harris created space for himself and fired a grounder that was tipped round the post by the custodian for a corner kick.
A brilliant pass down the left channel from Dawson, released Marsh down the left channel, but when one on one with Hyatt, the Cavalier captain was unable to get his shot in the back of the net.
Cavalier’s best and last chance of the game came to substitute McCalla whose near post header from a corner kick went the wrong side of the upright.
The competition will now break for the Jackie Bell Knock Out competition before the teams return to make a push for the semi-final spot or stave off relegation.
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