ARNETT Gardens coach Paul ‘Tegat’ Davis was satisfied with his team’s play after Newton Sterling’s early strike led them to a 1-0 win over Sporting Central Academy in the Red Stripe Premier League match at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex on Sunday.

The powerfully-built Sterling swivelled and cannoned in from inside the six-yard box in the fifth minute of play after the Sporting defence failed to clear the ball during a goal-mouth scramble.

Despite a spirited showing from the visitors, Arnett’s youthful charges showed enough promise to convince Davis that the club has a bright future.

“I think they did some good work and what I saw…. was a good sign. We have a bunch of Under-21 players and we are looking at the serious and brighter ones and mixing them with the veterans. Young players will do some work to impress us and I hope these guys see the bigger picture,” he said.

The win puts Arnett Gardens on 45 points in eighth place, while Sporting Central’s loss keeps them in ninth on 41.

The coach of the Clarendon-based outfit Nigel Stewart was generally pleased with the performance, but noted that wastefulness in front of goal cost them a point.

“I’m disappointed we didn’t get a point, but I think we played well and the game could have gone either side. We got a few chances that we should have scored, (but) Arnett got theirs and they scored,” he said.

Nestled in the lower half of the table, Sporting Central Academy are virtually safe from being relegated from the top division, while Arnett Gardens are mathematically certain of avoiding the drop.

Teams:

Arnett Gardens — Damion Hyatt, William Richards, Jabeur Johnson, Rohan Reid, Ryan Powell, Kemar D Brown, Rohan Williams (Vishunal Harris 74th), Newton Sterling, Fabian Reid, Ricardo Oldham (Andrew Allen 58th), Mikhail George (Jason Moore 65th).

Subs not used: Gerald Neil, Oneil Rose, Ricardo Dennis, Orane Dixon.

Booked: Oldham (31st), Powell (75th), Harris (84th).

Sporting Central Academy — Carlloyd Walters, Akeem Annarie, Linval Lewis (Marlon Allen 51st), Kevon Reid, Owen Gordon, Kadian Wynter, Jamoly Powell, Dwayne Campbell (Kavin Bascom (63rd), Francois Swaby, Gregory Lewis.

Subs not used: Andre Allen, Dwight Dunk, Rohan Richards, Michael Wilson, Jamaul Cunningham.

Booked: Lewis (9th)

Referee: Karl Tyrell

Assistant Referees: Damian Williams and Dwayne Panton

Fourth Official: Ali McKenzie

Match Commissary: Uken Campbell