Reid scoring goals to help Arnett’s violence

Arnett Gardens' captain Fabian Reid is in the running for the Golden Boot, despite missing about half of the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) season because of a short overseas stint.

The striker returned from Neroca in India to earn an impressive 12 goals from 13 games, which puts him in the top five goalscorer list and in contention to triumph as the season's top goalscorer, with Arnett still having their second-leg semi-final encounter to play, as well as the possible final.

"I don't want to run down the leading goalscorer. I want to win the Premier League for my team and the community, because the community has been due for it. It has been a long time, because since 2014 we haven't won," the 32-year-old said.

Reid said his goalscoring goes beyond personal accolades he can earn from the league, as he hopes it will positively affect his violence-stricken community.

"The community is in a little bad patch [with violence] right now, so it is the only thing that can get the community [calm, which is], winning the league right now," he said.

MORE GOALS

Reid, who was crucial in scoring the two goals that helped Arnett beat Portmore 2-1 on goal aggregate during the quarter-finals, believes he will be scoring more goals in the competition to get Arnett to the top.

"Mi just a score goal; any weh it stop, we just stop," Reid said. "You can look forward to more goals. I am just going to go back to the drawing board and look at the mistakes I made, and come back the next games and capitalise on the chances and put them away."

Arnett's coach Xavier Gilbert said Reid's overall contribution to the team is appreciated.

"We know how lethal he is, what he can do, and what he has been doing for us over the years. Once he gets in front of the goal, trust me, he will find the back of the goal.

"He's important. He's our leader, top goalscorer, and very instrumental in how we function and what we do. We are happy to have him healthy. He is not a hundred per cent, but he gives it his all," Gilbert said.

GOLDEN BOOT

He thinks earning the Golden Boot is not outside Reid's capabilities, despite Arnett having a possible two games left in the season, with the goalscoring chart being led by Waterhouse's Javane Bryan, who has scored 17 goals, followed by Tivoli Gardens' Justine Dunn with 16.

"He had his eye on it. He picked up a little knock and was having some difficulties playing in the last couple of games, but what he wants is for us to be in the next round and that is his focus, and if the top goalscorer comes with it, then so be it," Gilbert said.

Reid said he looks forward to having his name on the score sheets again for their return-leg semi-final game against Cavalier on Sunday, and possibly the final on May 19.

"We know we can score in any game because we have the fire weapons," Reid said.