MBU clip Arnett in tactical battle

Montego Bay United's (MBU) coach Rodolfo Zapata says his tactics proved to be spot on in his team's 1-0 win over Arnett Gardens in their Jamaica Premier League match at the Montego Bay Sports Complex on Monday night.

A goal in the 39th minute by Owayne Gordon was the difference between the two teams as MBU won their first home game of the season.

"It was a very tactical game. It was a battle in the middle, we concentrated on high pressing and played beautiful football. We played attacking and offensive football and it worked. I respect them because they have a really good team but in the end we played better than them," Zapata said.

The fiery encounter could have gone either way. Tempers flared during the game as the strong rivalry between the two teams was on full display. There were many stoppages and the referee issued yellow cards to Demario Phillips, Lucas Lima and Renaldo Wellington of MBU while Arnett's Shamarie Dyer and Phillando Wing were also cautioned.

Arnett Gardens were the early aggressors and had multiple shots at goal. MBU gained momentum slowly and got the winner when Gordon curled the ball into the left side of the net six minutes before the half-time break.

The hostile MBU fans made their presence felt, heckling the Arnett Gardens players as they walked back to the locker room during the interval.

Arnett Gardens came roaring back in the second half but stout defending from MBU meant they would keep their advantage.

Coach of Arnett Gardens, Xavier Gilbert, said matches between the two teams have always been good encounters but his team was loose at the back and made too many mistakes.

"We have to defend tighter and smarter. Too many turnovers and unforced errors, some coming when we were not under any pressure. They hit us in transition and it is something that has been plaguing us. We have to protect the ball better," Gilbert said.

With the win MBU moved up to second in the league with nine points from four matches. Arnett are seventh with four from three. Cavalier lead the league with 10 points from four matches.

Monday's results

Mount Pleasant 4-0 Racing United

Cavalier 4-1 Dunbeholden

MBU 1-0 Arnett Gardens