Arnett humble ‘Lions’ at Effortville

by

December 18, 2023

Photo

Humble Lion’s Afiba Chambers (left) moves away from Arnett Gardens’ Warner Brown during their Jamaica Premier League encounter at Effortville Community Centre in Clarendon yesterday. Arnett Gardens won 2-0.

It was a late yet clinical display of counter-attacking football which led Arnett Gardens to a 2-0 win over hosts Humble Lion in their Jamaica Premier League fixture at Effortville Community Centre yesterday.

The first 70-plus minutes of the fixture was one that both teams would want to forget, with few chances, but the encounter exploded into life after that, thanks to a couple of substitutions in the last 14 minutes, with Arnett Gardens capitalising on defensive lapses.

First, it was one of the substitutes, Rushike Kelson, who got the opening goal in the 76th minute when he headed home from close range after a right-sided cross.

That goal knocked the stuffing out of the Humble Lion's backline, which included veteran defender Ricardo Campbell and converted midfielder Andrew Vanzie.

With the hosts looking to get back on level terms with a high press, a swift counter-attack in added-on time sealed the deal for Arnett Gardens, as Kevoan McGregor finished off what was an efficient performance from the 'Junglists', who got their fifth win of the campaign.

"I am happy that we picked up the three points because it is not easy to come here and win. We were better in the second half because we were fitter than them, and we exploited some areas we saw," said winning coach Xavier Gilbert.

Losing coach Andrew Price was once again found wanting, having suffered his second loss in as many games.

"I thought it was a good hard-fought game, but we gave up two goals from defensive errors, and even though I can't fault them for their performance, Arnett Gardens wanted it more than us today," Price said.