Defending champions Arnett Gardens FC continued their unbeaten run in the Red Stripe Premier League with a plucky 1-0 win against former champions Montego Bay United FC at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex on Monday night.

Kenniel Hyde scored the deciding goal in the 40th minute.

It was one of the best games seen in the “Jungle” for some time with both teams evenly matched and battling to the very end to decide the winner. Oneil Anderson was outstanding for Arnett Gardens FC, just as goalkeeper Jacomeno Barrett was for Montego Bay United FC.

The tactical and technical play between the teams produced some electrifying football which received exemplary commendation from both coaches. The major difference between the teams was displayed in the artillery housed by Arnett Gardens.

Following several vain attempts by several players to storm past Barrett and his tenacious defenders, with explosive shots from close range, the ball eventually fell at the feet of Kenniel Hyde, who eventually breached the stubborn Montego Bay bulwark with a precious strike that proved the match-winning goal for a resilient Arnett Gardens. And after the game Head Coach Jerome Waite satisfied.

“Today, it was a pleasing and tactical game from both teams. It is the first time this season that Montego Bay ended up having so many of their top players present, who have been playing for them over the past four seasons, and this added a lot of flavour to the game. And that made a difference.

“They came here, fought gallantly, but Arnett was on top of their game and we finally won. I must add, the final score in the game is not a true reflection of our dominance based on the number of scoring opportunities that we created, as we should have put the game away from in the first half,” Waite added.

“We must give full credit to goalkeeper Jacomeno Barrett for his ‘keeping. It was an exemplary display between the uprights that kept Montego Bay in the game throughout and eventually reduced the number of goals that could have been scored. Another youngster to watch for the future is Oneil Anderson. He was outstanding; his defensive transition was immaculate and as a result of that he was voted ‘Man of the Match’,” Waite said.

“The only thing we did not do well enough of was to score,” Montego Bay’s Head Coach Rod Underwood lamented.

“In the first half we wanted more of the ball. We did not get more of the ball but we did create some chances, but we just did not take our chances. In the second half we were the much better team, but not better in the box.

“We wanted to get a goal which never materialised despite our best efforts. Had we managed to get that goal we went in search of, I believe that we would have won this game. Overall we fell down in both boxes. We failed to take advantage of our chances. They were much the better in both boxes than we were and they came up with a goal for the victory. Nonetheless, I thought we played a good game, but we failed to take our chances,” the Montego Bay coach said.

Teams: Arnett Gardens FC — Damian Hyatt, O’neill Thompson, Jabeur Johnson, Jamar Martin, Rickardo Oldham (Renae Lloyd 75th), Tamar Edwards, Kenniel Hyde (Lamar Neil 84th) O’neill Anderson Fabian Reid, Lennox Russell (Damari Deacon 88th), Marvin Morgan

Subs not used: Shamarley Clayton, Renaldo Wright, Steve Clarke, Newton Sterling

Booked: None

Montego Bay United FC — Jacomeno Barrett, Dwayne Ambusley, Orlando McBayne, Ladale Richie, Nicholas Stewart, Nicholas Amponseh, Donavan Carey, Keneil Kirlew, Jermaine Woozencroft (Odane Nish 90th+2), Jefroy Leslie (Raeem Pringles 88th), Anthony Markes (Leslie LaFleur 67th)

Subs not used: David Swaby, David Artwell, Javoy McLeod, Ranaldo Thompson

Booked: Barrett (25th), Marks (64th), Woozencroft (73rd)

Referee: Odette Hamilton

Assistant referees: Princess Brown, Stephanie Dale-Yee Sing

Fourth official: Cardella Samuels

Match commissary: Ewan Scott