Waterhouse FC……………1

Hughan Gray (44th)

Arnett Gardens FC……….3

Williams (45+1), Strickland (55th, 58th)

Arnett Gardens FC defeated 10-man Waterhouse FC 3-1 in a fiercely competitive game to maintain their unbeaten run in round two of the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) on Monday night at Drewsland.

In-form striker Leon Strickland, who played at Waterhouse three seasons ago, ensured that Arnett Gardens continued to flourish in the round by logging two splendid second half goals in a three-minute span to supplement an earlier redeeming strike from defender Dicoy Williams at the break.

Waterhouse utility player Hughan Gray, who plays right back for Jamaica, had given his team a 44th-minute lead with a splendid strike from just inside the box.

But before Waterhouse fans had finished celebrating, Dicoy Williams headed home in the 45+1 minute to pull Arnett Gardens level before Strickland sealed the win with two wonderful goals taking his tally to six for the season.

Strickland latched onto a Andre Clennon cross and volleyed home in 55th minute, then three minutes later, he returned with a sorcher in the 58th minute to put the game to bed.

Waterhouse went further into trouble when Juvanie Benjamin was red-carded in the 70th minute, which effectively eneded their hopes of a revival.

Since losing 0-5 to Montego Bay United on November 23, Arnett Gardens have now won six consecutive games to be joint top of the league with Montego Bay United on 32 points, but second on goal difference.

Waterhouse, who sat on top of the league only a few weeks ago, have not won in their last four games and have slipped to third on 28 points.

Monday’s game, for Waterhouse, was to help them regain their confidence while playing at home on familiar territory after going under to Harbour View a week ago. For Arnett Gardens, it was to continue their remarkable run in which they have rattled up five coonsecutive wins as they vie for sole leadership of the second round of the RSPL, and more importantly, leadership overall.

“It was a pleasing performance from the team, but the best is yet to come as we will be a better team in the near future,” said winning coach, Jerome Waite afterwards.

“Overall we have worked assiduously over the Christmass break toward attaining this type of result as it was business as usual and today’s (Monday’s) result shows the value of being prepared,” he added.

Waterhouse coach Anthony Patrick said “we did play well for very long periods”.

He said, however, that he is looking to boost the team in the new year.

“With the (transfer) window opening and some players coming back from injury, hopefully things will be ok by late January,” said Patrick.

Teams:

Waterhouse — Richard McCallum, Oshane Roberts, Nicholi Finlayson, Hughan Gray, Damarley Samuels, Evan Taylor, Rohan Amos, Romario Campbell (Marlon Laing 79th), Juvaune Benjamin, Ryan Swire (Tremaine Stewart 53rd), Jermaine Anderson

Subs not used: Kelso Cousins, Nathaniel Leslie, Deandre Brown, Damion Binns, Vinroy Hayles

Booked: Finlayson ()4th, Benjamin (Red card 70th), Anderson (70th), Taylor (85th)

Arnett Gardens — Peter Harrison, Dicoy Williams, Jubeur Johnson, Oniel Thompson, Marcelino Blackburn (Kemal Malcolm 78th), Dasha Satchwell, Marvin Morgan, Leon Strickland, Andre Clennon (Alanzo Adlam 82nd), Renae Lloyd, Andrew Phang (Kenniel Hyde 69th)

Subs not used: Damian Hyatt, Kenarado Smith, Jason Moore, Jamar Martin

Booked: Phang (15th)(, Lloyd 85th)

Referee: Valdin Legister

Assistant Referees: Garnet Page, Richard Washington

Fourth Official: Courtney Campbell

Match Commissary: Ewan Scott

— Hurbun Williams

WAITE… it was a pleasing performance from the team, but the best is yet to come