IT was a contest billed as the battle of Jamaica’s finest football clubs this season.

Arnett Gardens FC, by a distance the most consistent team throughout the campaign, were challenging the defending champions Montego Bay United, a side which has gained a bit of a reputation for turning up big when it matters most.

The South St Andrew-based Arnett, led by experienced coach Jerome Waite, who guided them to consecutive titles in 2000-01 and 2001-02. Montego Bay United, named after the St James capital, is guided by Dr Dean Weatherly, who is seen as having a Midas touch.

Some watchers installed Montego Bay as favourites after the manner in which they demolished Waterhouse in the semi-finals.

But it was Waite who came out ahead in the Red Stripe Premier League final at the National Stadium on Monday after his team executed well in a 2-0 victory over a less-than-sharp MoBay unit as Andre Clennon and Leon Strickland hit second-half goals.

The Arnett defensive set-up, led by captain and former Reggae Boy Oneil Thompson, was generally airtight.

Montego Bay got a few half chances in the dying embers of the game, but by then, Arnett were in control and had chances of their own to widen the margin.

Arnett’s right-back Jamar Martin, who was widely criticised for an ordinary display against Humble Lion FC in the semis, was named Man-of-the-Match.

“They [the defenders] held up extremely well and we have to give Jamar Martin credit. The last he played was against Humble Lion and the whole of Jamaica was coming down hard on him. But today he rose above expectations and he was voted man of the match,” Waite said.

Waite explained that the dismal first-half showing from both teams was due to a tentative approach brought on by the magnitude of the occasion.

Of the tactical battle, Waite added that it was crucial to stifle the attacking trio of Allan Ottey, Dino Williams and former Arnett player Owayne Gordon.

“It was a tactical battle. Both teams have good offensive qualities and electrifying speed and if we didn’t nullify them it could have cost us. It was a tactical move to nullify those three offensive players who destroyed the Waterhouse team. Then in the second half I told my players to go at it,” the Arnett coach said.

Martin, surrounded and congratulated on his performance by zealous fans at the end of the game, was happy for his coach’s faith in him.

“I feel great because the week before last I played a game and the crowd told me I didn’t give them anything. The coach [Waite] told me to go out and there and give my best and I did that,” the 26-year-old defender told the Jamaica Observer.

The former Dunoon Technical student added: “When I play against Montego Bay I never lose so I knew I could back them off. My plan was to mark anyone coming down that side so it didn’t matter if it was Dino, Gordon or Ottey. And I know I have speed just like them.”