Photo: Sealed with a kiss – Montego Bay United players celebrate their winner against Arnett Gardens in the semi-finals of the Red Stripe Premier league on Sunday. The game ended 2-2 but Mobay United advanced 4-3 on aggregate to advance to their third straight final.
Montego Bay United staged one of the most dramatic comebacks that the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex has ever seen, to overcome Arnett Gardens in a classic semi-finals drawing 2-2 on Sunday night, but winning 4-3 on aggregate, to book a spot at in the Red Stripe Premier League finals.
Paul ‘Tegat’ Davis”s side needed to stay ahead after winning the first leg 2-1 in Montego Bay despite Arnett’s rapier attacks – but climbed the mountain twice with Kashief Brown extra-time clincher from O’Neil Thompson’s comedy of errors concluding a night packed with drama and emotion.
The fans at the complex showed their love and respect for a supporter who died on his way to the away game last week, with an impeccably observed minute’s silence before kick-off – followed by a thriller that will be recalled by generations for sheer excitement and a finale that sent the traveling supporters wild.
The visitors drew first blood with the last kick of the first half through a cheeky header from Cory Hylton from a free kick to take a 3-1 aggregate lead in the tie at the half time break. They had had very little chances to extend their first leg lead earlier in the half as they spent most of their time trying to cope with the Arnett Gardens attacking threats.
Mobay United has changed coaches on numerous occasions over the last three years, the last to be installed is Paul Davis. They have managed to be in the finals three consecutive seasons winning it on one occasion in the two previous finals.
They boast the best defensive record, letting in fewer goals than all the other teams and they also have the best offensive record, scoring more goals than any other team. Despite beating their old nemesis Arnett Gardens only once in six meetings, they did it when it mattered most.
If there was no meaning for the proverb ‘fortune favors the brave’ before, then Mobay United gave us a meaning Sunday night. They were quite lucky to still be leading the contest as early as the 8th minute, when ace Arnett midfielder Vishinul Harris went for power instead of finesse and hammered his shot over the bar from a six yard box scramble. Ten minutes later players and fans were furious after Harris was tripped in the box by Ladale Richie but referee Kevin Morrison waved play on.
It was all Arnett Gardens for the first 25 minutes, they camped out in their opponent half but had nothing to show for their efforts. The spectators only knew who was keeping for Arnett Gardens in the 29th minute when Owayne Gordon broke free on a counter attack, ran 60 yards with the ball at his feet full tilt, before unleashing a thunderbolt which Damian Hyatt did well to parry.
Ten minutes later some quick exchanges between Gordon,Cory Hylton and Allan Ottey gave Gordon a little pocket of space to get off a shot that almost caught Hyatt napping.
Mobay United finally came to life in the last ten minutes of the first half, creating and missing a few chances before Hylton gave them a cushion on the stroke of half time with a cheeky header from a free kick-it. The 3-1 aggregate lead at the interval meant Arnett Gardens would require three goals to advance to the finals.
Kemal Malcolm’s cool 83rd minute penalty kick breathed life back into the defending champions and into the contest as the home fans roared on their team who laid siege to the Mobay United goal.
Vishinul Harris, arguably the best midfielder in the RSPL this season, then turned the tie on its head when he fired home from close range in 90+5 minutes to level things up on aggregate.
Kashief Brown’s brave effort to challenge and outfox Oniel Thompson then Hyatt before steering the ball into an empty goal with five minutes played in extra time to spark chaotic celebrations from the pocket of traveling supporters and seal an aggregate win that will take its place in Mobay United’s folklore.
At the start of the game, Davis received a rapturous reception from the fans who idolised him as a cunning striker with a wizardry of tricks when he played for Jamaica’s senior team and Seba United (now Mobay United), when he walked along the Tony Spaulding Complex touch line before kick-off – but he then inflicted agony on the club he once coached in the early part of his managerial career.
As Arnett chased the game in the closing stages, Davis was wound up to the point of frenzy, turning around to the crowd behind the players bench, whirling his arms in encouragement and gesturing wildly for more vocal support.
It kept the momentum going and Mobay United supporters believing right through the dark moments when Arnett controlled the game, inspiring his players to that sensational finale. Arnett Gardens will now turn their attention to the Jackie Bell knock-out final at Sabina Park on Sunday.
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