UWI all alone at the top of the RSPL

Photo: Lennox Russell (kneeling) and his teammate Damari Deacon celebrate Arnett Gardens first goal in their 3-0 win over Jamalco FC in the Red Stripe Premier League on Sunday. It was the third goal for Russell in as many games, as Arnett Gardens moved up to second place behind leaders UWI FC.

A 1-0 away win over leaders Humble Lion FC courtesy of an 84^th minute penalty from captain Rochane Smith, allowed the University of the West Indies FC to continue their great run in the Red Stripe Premier League on Sunday.

A fourth consecutive win for the Marcel Gayle coached team sees them assume sole leadership of the league with 16 points after beginning the day in 2^nd place, level on points with their opponents. It was the first loss for Humble Lion in five games and they have slipped from first to fourth place in the standings.

The UWI have never been top of the league before and can thank their captain Smith who has been deadly from the spot, scoring three times from eight yards in the last two games to join Shamar Nicholson of Boys Town and Rohan Richards of Jamalco FC atop the scorers chart on four goals each.

Arnett Gardens have moved up to second place on 13 points after scoring a comprehensive 3-0 win over Jamalco FC at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex. Beginning the day level on points but behind the visitors on goal difference, Arnett Gardens took the lead when Lennox Russell headed home from close range in the 16^th minute. It was Russell’s third goal in as many games for the club.

The home team took full control of the game after that and not surprisingly doubled their advantage when Fabian Reid fired a thunderbolt from outside the area and the ball almost split goalkeeper Levor Williams in two on its way into the back of the net in the 30^th minute.

Jamalco fought bravely in the second half, creating a few chances, but could find no way pass the outstanding Damian Hyatt in the Arnett goal. The game was sealed for the home team in the 89^th minute when substitute Marvin Morgan outjumped a defender inside the box, to head home his first goal of the season, in just his second start.

Champions Montego Bay United brought Waterhouse FC back down to earth with a thud when they beat them 2-1 at Westpow Park. Waterhouse went into the game on the back of consecutive wins after a dreadful start to the season. The visitors were bubbling with confidence but went behind to a Dino Williams strike in only the third minute.

Romario Campbell restored parity for the Marvin Tate coached team when he curled a beautiful free kick into the top corner of the net in the 61^st minute. The home team regained the lead just four minutes later however, when Cory Hylton converted a left sided cross that beat two defenders before finding its way to him.

The win, a first in three games for Mobay United, sees them move up to third place on 13 points, the same as second place Arnett Gardens and fourth placed Humble Lion in what continues to be a close early season race.

The Stars of the East continue to struggle this season, losing their fourth game in five matches, going down 2-1 to Portmore United at the Harbour View Mini-Stadium. Javon East put the visitors ahead early when he struck in the 7^th minute. They doubled their lead just nine minutes after the break through from Mark Alves, but were denied a clean sheet when Ranique Muir got a consolation for the home team in time added.

The win moves Portmore up to 5^th on eleven points while Harbour View remains last in the twelve team standings on 4 points, the same as Boys Town whose game with Tivoli Gardens was not played due to a waterlogged field at the Barbican Complex.

The only draw of the day came at Frome, where Reno FC and Marverley/Huhgenden FC played out a 1-1 draw. The home team took the lead through Romario Smith in the 36^th minute and seemed home and dry until Phillip Peddie got the equalizer seven minutes from time to deny Reno all three points.

The result sees Reno remain in 7^th place on nine points while Marverley are in 8^th place on eight points following their fifth draw in six games.

The competition is set to resume in midweek with the playing of the games that were postponed due to the passage of Hurricane Matthew.