Reigning champions Arnett Gardens FC played out a pulsating 1-1 draw against a rampaging Waterhouse FC in their Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) contest at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex on Sunday.

Arnett Gardens, who ended the contest with nine men, inched up to seven points but have now been overhauled on goal difference by former winners Portmore United and University of the West Indies (UWI) FC, respectively.

Ronaldo Wright opened the scoring for Arnett late in the first half, while Tremaine Stewart equalised for Waterhouse early in the second stanza.

“Waterhouse created a number chances during the game; that is an area in which we have to pay much attention. So to come away with a point with nine players was a very good result for us,” Assistant Coach Orlando Clarke said in the post-match interview.

Glendon Bailey, head coach of Waterhouse, was generally upbeat despite the draw.

“Judging from the way we’ve played and the dominance we displayed it was quite heartening, and as I have said before we would get better as we go along. The most disappointing aspect of our play was to leave an opposing player unmarked to give him a clear shot on goal. With time, however, this will be a thing of the past,” Bailey stated.

Locked in a fierce battle for ascension with their visitors, Arnett Gardens eventually broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time through Ronaldo Wright, who blasted a powerful left-footed shot past Richard McCallum in goal for Waterhouse.

Within two minutes of the resumption, Waterhouse struck after they won a free kick just outside the area. Tremaine Stewart, who in the first half failed to put his team in the lead, stepped forward to bring the teams level by firing the set play past debutant goalkeeper Shamarley Clayton in goal for Arnett Gardens.

Two minutes later it was McCallum’s time to keep Arnett Gardens from regaining the lead, diving to his right to hold on to a tame but well-directed right-footed shot from Kimanie Arbouine.

Arnett went down to 10 players when Jamar Martin received his marching orders from referee Daneon Parchment for his second bookable offence. Stewart then had a glorious opportunity to seal all three points for Waterhouse but hit a wayward shot.

Arnett played the final five minutes with nine players as Lamar Nelson was stretchered off.

Teams:

Arnett Gardens — Samarley Clayton, O’neill Thompson, Jamar Martin, O’neill Anderson, Ronaldo Wright (Lamar Nelson 58th), Tamar Edwards, Vishinul Harris, Lamar Neil, Geovaunie Samuda (Damari Deacon 70th), Lennox Russell, Kimanie Arbouine (Jabeur Johnson 77th)

Subs not used: Shamar Pryce, Richardo Oldham, Steve Clarke, Newton Sterling

Booked: Martin (38th, ejected — 58th), Neil (79th)

Waterhouse — Richard McCallum, Nicholi Finlayson, Jeffrey Henry (Richardo Harriot 74th), Keno Simpson (Shamari Dyer 82nd), Samar Rowe, Shawn McKoy, Tramaine Stewart, Rodico Wellington (Denardo Thomas 83rd), Andre Dawson, Dasha Satchwell, Cristhian Hereira

Subs not used: Akeem Chambers, Dean Andre Thomas, Rodari Edwards, Tyrone Harrison

Booked: Satchwell (43rd), Finlayson (68th), McKoy (90+1).

Officials: Daneon Parchment

Assistant referees: Nicholas Anderson,Ojay Duhaney

Fourth official: Veralton Nembhard