A brace from captain Rochane Smith secured a third-consecutive victory for UWI FC when they downed former champions Arnett Gardens 3-2 in a thrilling Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) encounter at UWI Bowl, Mona, yesterday.

Smith’s goals came from the penalty spot in the third and 90th+3 minutes with Andrae Bernal (52nd) getting the other. Captain Oniel Thompson (33rd) and a Lennox Russell 59th-minute penalty were the scorers for the losers.

With the win, The UWI moved into second position on 13 points, while Arnett Gardens slipped to fourth on 10 points.

It was a frantic start to an entertaining contest, as the hosts grabbed the ascendancy courtesy of Smith, who calmly converted from the 12-yard spot after Thompson handled the ball inside the area.

Arnett Gardens responded well and launched a few dangerous attacks in their probe for the equaliser, which eventually came just past the half-hour mark when Thompson made amends by volleying home a well-weighted corner kick from Damari Deacon.

The score remained unchanged at the break, despite UWI FC dictating terms in the latter stages of the half; but they failed to beat the glove of custodian Damian Hyatt.

A composed strike by Bernal, who pushed the ball wide of a defender and drove home a sweet right-footed shot, ensured that UWI FC regained the ascendancy seven minutes after the resumption. They had signalled their intentions a minute before that when Hyatt dove full stretch to his weaker left side to deny Patrick Brown from close range.

But a pesky Arnett Gardens failed to let it slip away and they were back on level terms on the stroke of the hour mark when Russell brushed himself off to convert from the spot after earlier being brought down inside the box by Anthony Greenland.

The “Junglists” went close to taking the lead a minute later, but Kimani Arbouine, who was presented with an empty net, failed to get on the end of Fabian Reid’s cross.

A nippy Marvin Morgan and the speedy Kamal Malcolm came on to add impetus to Arnett Gardens’ attack and they marshalled the effort in applying consistent pressure. However, close marking by UWI’s defensive unit barred them from causing any real problems.

With the clock winding down and the game seemingly headed for a draw, sloppy defensive work on the part of Ranike Anderson, who pulled back Brown inside the area, was punished with a UWI FC penalty and Smith made no mistake in time added.

Tempers flared between players and spectators from both teams shortly after the final whistle, with two spectators trading blows before the situation was brought under control by alert police officers.

Andrew Peart, assistant coach of UWI FC, was elated that the team maintained a rich vein of form.

“That was our motivation coming in the game; we haven’t won three consecutive games in our time in the Premier League, so we wanted to make that happen today (yesterday) playing at home as well. We wanted to always capitalise on the games at home to garner three points, so [we’re] very grateful to win three straight, but the next game will start from minute one, so we have to remain focused from here,” he told the Jamaica Observer in a post-game interview.

Jerome Waite, head coach of Arnett Gardens, was left disappointed by the outcome, and by extension the sloppy display from his team.

“I am disappointed because at this level you don’t expect these players, who have been playing Premier League for so long, to be making these simple mistakes. And, as a result of that, it is something that we have to discuss at the next training session. If players want to play they will have to show us that they want to play and stop fooling around,” he fumed.

Teams: UWI FC — Amal Knight, Rochane Smith, Andrae Bernal, Patrick Brown, Deno Schaffe, Stephen Lowe (Robert Palmer 71st), Anthony Greenland (Shuwayne Barrett 77th), Taniel McKenzie, Kemar Flemmings, Keammar Daley (Ramour Reid 74th), Kemar DouglasSubs not used: Leighton Donaldson, Davion Garrison, Deighton Stuart, Akeem ThensteadBooked: Douglas (42nd), McKenzie (58th), Reid (80th), Flemmings (90th)Arnett Gardens — Damian Hyatt, Ranike Anderson, Jabeur Johnson, Oniel Thompson, Shawn McKoy, Lamard Neil (Marvin Morgan 64th), Dicoy Williams, Fabian Reid, Lennox Russell, Damari Deacon (Kamal Malcolm 64th), Kimani Arbouine (Neicko Williams 77th)Subs not used: Carlloyd Walters, Jamar Martin, Newton Sterling, Steve ClarkeBooked: Morgan (85th), Anderson (90th+3)Referee: Valdin LedgisterAssistant Referees: Richard Washington, Jassett KerrFourth Official: Veralton NembhardMatch Commissary: Horace LewisYesterday’s resultsUWI FC 3, Arnett Gardens 2Portmore United 1, Humble Lion 1Maverley/Hughenden 1, Boys’ Town 1Jamalco 1, Reno FC 1Montego Bay United 0, Harbour View 0Waterhouse 1, Tivoli Gardens 0

Teams: UWI FC — Amal Knight, Rochane Smith, Andrae Bernal, Patrick Brown, Deno Schaffe, Stephen Lowe (Robert Palmer 71st), Anthony Greenland (Shuwayne Barrett 77th), Taniel McKenzie, Kemar Flemmings, Keammar Daley (Ramour Reid 74th), Kemar Douglas

Subs not used: Leighton Donaldson, Davion Garrison, Deighton Stuart, Akeem Thenstead

Booked: Douglas (42nd), McKenzie (58th), Reid (80th), Flemmings (90th)

Arnett Gardens — Damian Hyatt, Ranike Anderson, Jabeur Johnson, Oniel Thompson, Shawn McKoy, Lamard Neil (Marvin Morgan 64th), Dicoy Williams, Fabian Reid, Lennox Russell, Damari Deacon (Kamal Malcolm 64th), Kimani Arbouine (Neicko Williams 77th)

Subs not used: Carlloyd Walters, Jamar Martin, Newton Sterling, Steve Clarke

Booked: Morgan (85th), Anderson (90th+3)

Referee: Valdin Ledgister

Assistant Referees: Richard Washington, Jassett Kerr

Fourth Official: Veralton Nembhard

Match Commissary: Horace Lewis

Yesterday’s results

UWI FC 3, Arnett Gardens 2

Portmore United 1, Humble Lion 1

Maverley/Hughenden 1, Boys’ Town 1

Jamalco 1, Reno FC 1

Montego Bay United 0, Harbour View 0

Waterhouse 1, Tivoli Gardens 0