Arnett Gardens……………2

Phang (pk-20th), Clennon (82nd)

Humble Lion……………….1

Campbell (34th)

ARNETT Gardens FC fought off a determined Humble Lion FC for a 2-1 win in the feature match of the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) double-header at the Anthony Spaulding Sport Complex on Sunday.

The home team’s form blew hot and cold heading into Sunday’s game, but they were thrown a lifeline when Andrew Phang netted from the penalty spot in the 20th minute. Dwayne Campbell equalised for Humble Lion 14 minutes later, but Andre Clennon got the winner for Arnett in the 82nd minute.

Arnett maintained fourth position in the RSPL table with 17 points after five wins in the first round. The floundering Humble Lion ended Round One on eight points and are second to last in the 12-team standings.

After going behind early, the Clarendon-based team, which has struggled to put together a winning combination this season, fought bravely to level the score.

The Linval Wilson-coached Humble Lion began a series of attacks on the Arnett Gardens goal area and notched the equalising goal through Campbell in minute 34.

Thereafter there was hardly any let-up from either side, but the score remained 1-1 at the half-time break. The players returned for the second stanza and picked up where they left off before the break, desperate to penetrate each other’s defence.

For the most part, it was to little avail, though Humble Lion did create the better breaks. They, however, lacked the front-line efficiency to match the approach play.

It was left to the home team to show the way, and with eight minutes of regular time remaining, Clennon was on spot to poke an effort past goalkeeper Damion Crooks. The striker capitalised after the ball was left bubbling around in the six-yard box, with the Humble Lion defenders seemingly helpless to sweep it out of harm’s way.

Teams

Arnett Gardens — Peter Harrison, Dicoy Williams, Jabeur Johnson, Oneil Thompson, Kenneil Hyde, Jason Moore, Jahmeel Thompson, Leon Strickland (Kevin Wilson 85th), Steve Clarke, Andre Clennon, Andrew Phang (Renae Lloyd 45th)

Subs not used: Damian Hyatt, Dasha Satchwell, Jerry Walters, Jamar Jackson

Booked: None.

Humble Lion — Damion Crooks, Ajuran Brown, Ricardo Campbell, Jermaine Christian (Omando McLeod 87th), Ronald Christian, Wolry Wolfe, Kemeil Wolfe (Roberto Fletcher 77th), Andrew Vanzie, Devon Hodges, Ricardo Cousins, Dwayne Campbell (Hugh Howell 88th)

Subs not used: Garth Heron, Denzil Watson, Jermaine Fletcher, Sean Coleman

Booked: Cousins (90+4)

Referee: Dwight Royal

Assistant Referees: Garnett Page, Oyinco McTaggart

Fourth Official: Karl Tyrell

Match Commissary: Charles Barrett