CATHERINE HALL, St James — Montego Bay United (MBU) surprised defending champions Arnett Gardens 2-1 in Monday night’s Red Stripe Premier League first-leg semi-final game at the Montego Bay Sports Complex, registering their first victory over the south St Andrew-based club in seven games, dating back to last season.

Owayne Gordon continued to improve his player-of-the-season resume with a sparkling strike in the 23rd minute, while his teammate Ronaldo Rodney capitalised on an error by goalkeeper Peter Harrison just before half-time to secure the victory for Montego Bay United, who are seeking their third consecutive appearance in the final.

Arnett Gardens’ Michaelos Martin had levelled the scores in the 34th minute.

The return leg set is for the Anthony Spaulding Complex on Sunday afternoon.

MBU assistant coach Dillon Thelwell told the Jamaica Observer that teamwork made the difference, even as the St James outfit played without the prolific Dino Williams.

“We came out and used our strengths on the flanks… once we worked together we knew we could pull off this win,” he said.

MBU were able to start the best back four combination for the first time in months with the return of central defender Cordel Simpson, who lasted 73 minutes before limping off with a knee injury and was replaced by feisty midfielder Donovan Carey.

“Cordel’s coming back was a big boost for us… over the last four games we were shaky, but he added stability at the back, which we needed,” noted Thelwell.

Jerome Waite, the Arnett Gardens tactician, blamed Harrison’s mistake for their loss.

“The goalkeeper error — there is no otherwise — that is what caused us to lose the game,” Waite said bluntly in his post-game interview with the Observer.

Asked about his team’s failure to convert several scoring chances, Waite added: “Chances were few. The Montego Bay unit played a hard and tactical game and they were at home, and come next week it will be rumble in the jungle’. I will be at home.”

Waite said playing at home will give them the advantage to overturn the one-goal deficit. “At all times (playing at home) it will be an advantage. They (MBU) utilised their advantage by an error from the Arnett Gardens goalkeeper, so we just have to come big on the day,” he said.

It was sweet revenge for the fans who packed into the grandstand at the complex, forcing the stadium officials to open the bleachers to accommodate the overflow.

Arnett Gardens came into the game as overwhelming favourites as they had beaten Montego Bay United three of the last four times, including last season’s final, and two 2-1 wins this season after drawing their first meeting 2-2 at the Montego Bay Sports Complex earlier this season.

MBU had won just once in their last five games, and without Williams to lead them, it was expected that Arnett Gardens would take advantage.

It was the MBU team with Gordon and Cory Hylton, combing well down the middle, that took the fight to Arnett Gardens, and it was a brilliant combination that led to the opening goal.

Hylton back-heeled a pass in Gordon’s path in the 23rd minute and the striker took his time and curled a delightful left-footer past Harrison and into the goal for his 20th of the season.

Hylton just failed to double the advantage in the 29th minute when he was supplied with a pass from Gordon, but his low shot, which beat Harrison, was stopped on the line by Enniel Hyde.

Arnett drew level in the 34th minute when Martin was well-placed at the far left post to slot home a cross from the right side after a brilliant build-up.

Two minutes after Gordon just failed to capitalise on an error by Renae Lloyd just outside the six-yard box, another mistake led to MBU retaking the lead.

Harrison appeared to have held on to a corner from the right side but fumbled the ball, and the alert Rodney was well-placed to poke the ball into the wide open goal from a few yards out.

Teams:

Montego Bay United — Owayne Gordon, Allan Ottey, Cory Hylton (Kashief Brown-85th), Ronaldo Rodney (Jermaine Woozencroft-61st), Keniel Kirlew, Dwayne Ambusley, Kemar Drake, Ladale Richie, Orlando McBayne, Cordel Simpson (Donovan Carey-75th), Jacomeno Barrett.

Subs not used: Davis Swaby, Nicodie Haughton, Winston Wilkinson, Fabion McCarthy

Booked: Drake (18th), Hylton (63rd)

Arnett Gardens — Peter Harrison, Oneil Thompson, Dicoy Williams, Renae Lloyd, Enniel Hyde, Marvin Morgan, Vishinul Harris (Jason Moore-76th), Michaelos Martin (Lennox Russell-85th), Kemar Malcolm, Leon Strickland (Newton Sterling-83rd), Jabeur Johnson.

Subs not used: Damion Hyatt, Neicko Williams, Andrew Phang, Jamar Martin

Booked: None

Referee: Dwight Royal

Assistants: Princess Brown, Nicholas Anderson

Fourth Official: Veralton Nembhard

Match Commissary: Linnel McLean