Arnett survive to continue record run

Western Bureau:

Coach of defending champions Arnett Gardens Jerome Waite is happy to continue their unbeaten run this season in the Red Stripe Premier League despite being outplayed by promoted Sandals South Coast FC at the Frome Sports Complex in what he admitted was not his team's best game for the team.

"It's always good to see a team for the first time staying unbeaten in the league for so long. It is a remarkable achievement for our football as outside of Jamaica, Manchester City is on that same run," said Waite, comparing their run with that of Manchester City's in the English Premier League.

After yesterday's 1-1 draw, Arnett Gardens are now 16 games unbeaten this season and 23 when tallied with the games at the back end of last season. With these numbers, one would expect the defending champions to take home maximum points but found the going tough as Sandals came to the party, and if it had not been for luck would move the ground from underneath them.

TABLE TURNED

After waves of attack on the boys in red and black, they succumb to the pressure gifting Sandals a chance to take the lead in the 33rd minute from the penalty spot. They, however, wasted their chance when Ron Daley kicked wide of the left post from 10 yards out. Six minutes later, they saw the table turned when Ronaldo Wright redirected a free kick off the right boot of Damari Deacon to give Arnett the lead.

Sandals came out just as positive after the break with Dwayne Blake getting the equaliser in the 56th. They found themselves in a tangle seven minutes later after being reduced to 10 men after Leonard Rankine picked up his second yellow card.

When asked his feelings on the result, coach of Sandals FC Aaron Lawrence told STAR Sports that it was a positive for him.

"Yes, it is a positive to get a point especially after going down against the defending champions... to know that we missed many chances where we could have won the game. I must give credit to the player who played with heart, character, and determination," said Lawrence.