ONEIL ‘Bigga’ Thompson, the former Boys’ Town standout, scored a time added goal that buried his former club 3-2 against Arnett Gardens in an exciting and competitive Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) night game at the Anthony Spaulding Sport Complex on Monday.

It was a goal scored in the 90th+1 minute and Thompson refused to celebrate as it was scored against his beloved Boys’ Town: “It is an important goal for the team for which I play. However, it could leave a sour taste in one’s mouth considering the love I have for Boys’ Town. But at the same time as a professional footballer I represent Arnett Gardens and I am doing my job to the best of my ability,” he reassured.

Earlier, Jaron Richards with a double strike in minutes 14 (penalty) and 68 gave Arnett Gardens a two-goal cushion that looked good for full points until Xavian Virgo reduced the deficit in the 72nd minute after beating goalkeeper Damian Hyatt from a difficult angle, built on a solo run.

No longer enjoying the comfort of a two-goal cushion, Arnett Gardens, coached by Jerome Waite, received a wake-up call as the always-businesslike and hard-working Boys’ Town aggregation was in and out of their defensive pattern that looked a bit ragged and the visitors were in and out with patent regularity. So much so that it was not surprising when the Andrew Price-led Boys’ Town drew level in the 79th minute. They comfortably struck again through Garfield Gillespie.

However, with both teams now locked at two goals apiece and the game gone into time added, Thompson chose victory over partisanship.

He vacated his central defensive position to squeeze the ball from a header past a helpless Kirk Porter at his first post just when everybody seemed to be settling for a 2-2 draw.

While Arnett Gardens had dominated the first 70 minutes of play and left the grounds as winners, for Boys’ Town it was heartbreak.

They were magnificent for the final 30 minutes of the game and eyeing a draw after recovering from two goals down until ‘Bigga’ Thompson ruined their resolve.

Teams: Boys’ Town – Kirk Porter, Xavian Virgo, Carlos Wright, Pierre McPherson, Garfield Gillespie, Michael Campbell, Asrick Samuels, Marvin Stewart, Rafiek Thomas, Peter Keys (Chavaney Willis 75th), Shamar Nicholson

Subs not used: C Walters, W Richards, V Thompson, O Stewart, R Scott, T Garnett

Booked: Virgo (13th), McPherson (54th)

Arnett Gardens – Damian Hyatt, Anthowe Dawkins, Dicoy Williams (Oneil Thompson 36th), Shaquille Dyer, Kenneil Hyde, Renae Lloyd (Michaelos Martin 75th), Jaron Richards, Jahmeel Thompson, Kemal Malcolm (Michael Webb 74th), Dasha Satchwell, Alanzo Adlam

Subs not used: S Clarke, R Wright, K Smith, J Martin

Booked: None

Referee: Karl Tyrell

Assistant Referees: Lloyd Edwards, Keble Williams

Fourth Official: Odette Hamilton

Match Commissary: Michael Ricketts