Arnett Gardens won a record sixth Locker Room Sports/ Kingston and St Andrew Football Association Jackie Bell knockout title after brushing aside Waterhouse 2-1 at Sabina Park yesterday.

Jason Moore and Newton Sterling netted in the 13th and 31st minutes as Arnett Gardens walked away with the $400,000 prize money, while dethroned champions Waterhouse collected $250,000.

Arnett Gardens had previously won the competition in 1990, 1992, 1995, 2000 and 2013, which was started some 28 years ago in 1988.

Jermaine Anderson replied in the 59th minute for Waterhouse as they remained on five titles, having won in 1998, 1999, 2003, 2004, and 2015.

It was a much-needed win for Arnett Gardens after they lost their Red Stripe Premier League crown, crashing to a 3-4 loss on aggregate to Montego Bay United in the semi-final last week.

Winning Coach Jerome Waite said his team showed resilience to bounce back, despite not being at full strength.

“Congrats to the boys, they have done well. This is a morale-boosting victory going forward to the CONCACAF Club Championship,” said Waite.

“Waterhouse really brought the game to us in the second half, seeing that they were behind and had nothing to lose. Pushing more players forward gave them the opportunity, resulting in a goal, and they continued pushing,” noted Waite.

Waterhouse Coach Anthony Patrick said his team started slowly and paid the price despite a strong second-half comeback.

“We started flat and I think the indiscipline was a main factor for us today, but once we started to play we looked good in spurts,” said Patrick.

Despite some patrons complaining about the selection of the Sabina Park venue to host the final, both teams had their fair share of supporters and treated them to a nice game of football.

Arnett Gardens started without several regular starters, including Kemal Malcolm, Leon Strickland, Vishinul Harris, Jabeur Johnson and Renae Lloyd through injury, but were quicker out of the blocks and stunned Waterhouse with two first-half goals.

The Junglists got the perfect start they wanted as Moore controlled a ball in the box and turned away from a defender who fouled him, and referee Karl Tyrell had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Moore brushed himself off and calmly slotted home the penalty kick in the 13th minute.

In the 17th minute, the outstanding Marvin Morgan tested goalkeeper Rushane Patterson with a stinging drive from just outside the box which he turned for a corner.

Neicko Williams then won possession for Arnett Gardens deep in Waterhouse territory and picked out Sterling, who slotted home from close range in the 31st minute as Arnett ended the half in total control.

But Waterhouse came out full of running in the second half with the impressive Stephorn Brown and Hughan Gray pulling the strings and coming close on a few occasions.

Brown worked a short corner and his shot was blocked by goalkeeper Peter Harrison, but Jermaine Anderson was on hand to mop up in the 54th minute, giving Waterhouse a lifeline.

Waterhouse then threw everything but the kitchen sink at Arnett Gardens, but despite their relentless pressure, they failed to find the equalising goal and had to play second fiddle in the end.

Arnett Gardens were deserved champions of the Jackie Bell KO competition, played in honour of one of Jamaica’s foremost football administrators — Winthorpe “Jackie” Bell.

Teams:

Arnett Gardens— Peter Harrison, Oneil Thompson, Dicoy Williams, Ranike Anderson, Jamar Jackson, Jason Moore (Marcelino Blackburn 75th), Kenneil Hyde, Marvin Morgan, Neicko Williams (Jabeur Johnson 87th), Steve Clarke (Lennox Russell 61st), Newton Sterling.

Subs not used: Damian Hyatt, Jamar Martin, Andrew Phang, Lamar Neil, Michealos Martin.

Booked: Neicko Williams 41st, Ranike Anderson 50th.

Waterhouse— Rushane Patterson, Oshane Roberts, Rohan Amos, Carlos Wright, Omar Walcott, Stephorn Brown, DeAndre Brown (Nicholas Nelson 86th), Kyamani Campbell (Omar Walcott 65th), Hughan Gray, Kemar Beckford (Devon Hodges 70th), Jermaine Anderson

Subs not used: Kelso Cousins, Andre Leslie, George Brown.

Booked: Stephorn Brown 60th.

Referee: Karl Tyrell

Assistant Referees: Omar Mills, Damion Williams

Fourth Official: Malacai Reid

Match Commissary: Charles Barrett