Another setback for Arnett, Vere Phoenix relegated

Arnett Gardens coach Xavier Gilbert is hoping his team will rebound soon after his team went down 2-1 to Portmore United at Ferdi Neita Park yesterday. Gilbert's team has now failed to win in four matches and he is hoping they have not hit a brickwall going into the most crucial part of the season.

"I hope not," he responded when asked if he was concerned about the team's form. "If you have not won in four games it has to be a concern. That is how serious I am approaching it but whatever it is, we have to find it, deal with it and solve it as quickly as possible."

Cardel Benbow opened the scoring after 28 minutes for Portmore, but Warner Brown converted from the penalty spot on the hour, for his 20th of the season, to even the score.

Nevertheless, Ronaldo Robinson would run for half the pitch and slam a low shot past Daniel Russell a minute later, to restore Portmore's lead.

Gilbert said he knew it was going to be a tough day.

"Defensively our opponents have been doing good and we were mindful of that. But I thought that, especially in the second half, we panicked. We rushed things. We kept turning over the ball and were not as committed as we should," he said.

Portmore coach Rodolph Austin was pleased to see his team rebound from their defeat to Cavalier in midweek.

"It (win) means a lot. This confirms us for the top six. It is good to win a game against Arnett, who have a very good team and are doing well at the moment.

"It was a nice win for the team. It shows good character that we lost couple days ago and we had the courage to come play," he said.

Meanwhile, Vere Phoenix United became the first team to be relegated after they went down 2-1 to Tivoli Gardens at Wembley Centre of Excellence.

Tyreek Magee put Vere Phoenix in front after seven minutes but goals from Kimberly Smith (27th) and Barrington Pryce (68th) saw Tivoli to victory. Tivoli (51) are seventh, a point below sixth place Waterhouse who defeated Humble Lion 1-0 yesterday.

Vere remain at the bottom on 23, nine points adrift of 12th place Humble Lion with three matches remaining.

Vere can only finish level on points with 13th place and second from bottom Molynes United (32).

Molynes, in the meantime, gave their relegation battle a major boost after 2-0 win over Dunbeholden, who sit above them in the table.

Nichashae Murray (7th) and Mickel Graham (90+7) were the scorers for Molynes, who are one point behind Dunbeholden, Harbour View and Chapelton.

At the Harbour View Mini Stadium, the home team surrendered a 2-0 first half lead to end 2-2 with Cavalier.

Dejaun Green and Andre Fagan put the hosts in front at the break but Jalmaro Calvin's brace ensured a point.

Cavalier are fifth on 57 points while Harbour View are 10th but are tied with two other teams on 33, and are still very much in relegation trouble.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com

Yesterday's results

Portmore 2-1 Arnett

Harbour View 2-2 Cavalier

Tivoli 2-1 Vere

Molynes 2-0 Dunbeholden

Today's games

5 p.m: Chapelton vs Mount Pleasant

7:45 p.m: Racing vs Montego Bay

Both matches will be played at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex