A brilliant, 84th-minute penalty save from goalkeeper Mikhail Harrison and a 48th-minute strike from skipper Marvin Morgan handed Arnett Gardens FC their third win of the Red Stripe Premier League, clipping Tivoli Gardens FC 1-0 at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex on Monday night.

Tivoli Gardens skipper Barrington Pryce will curse his luck for failing to beat Harrison from the 12-yard mark, spurning a glorious opporunity to snatch a point late on in the West Kingston derby.

Monday’s result leaves rivals locked at the top of the standings on nine points each, but Arnett lead based on a better goal difference. Arnett and Tivoli have won three of their four games, while losing once for the season.

Goalscorer Morgan underlined the unique nature of the age-old rivalry between the clubs from politically polarised communities.

“Playing with great zeal and dynamism is what it takes to play in a derby. The battle of the derby between these two teams is not only a football game, it has political overtones and it is going to be tough, even rough at times on both teams to come out on top. So you just have to go out there, dig deep, seek for solutions to gain that advantage and come up victorious (and) that is what we did,” said the national player.

“(It) matters not that I was the scorer of the winning goal (because) it was all a team effort… someone had to step forward and produce (and) the honour fell to me, and I accepted it. The camaraderie of the players that is embedded in our play is the real winner,” Morgan added.

As expected in a derby, both teams threw down the gauntlet from the opening whistle of referee Kevin Morrison. Tivoli Gardens Howard Morris created some anxious moments in the opening half with his particular jinking runs down the left side, but nothing came of his efforts as the Arnett Gardens defenders stood their ground.

At the other end, the hosts were also wayward in their attempts at goal, leaving both teams empty-handed going to break.

Three minutes after the resumption, Arnett Gardens pounced when Jovani Simms caught opposing goalkeeper Nicholas Clarke fumbling from a deft cross. Clarke, who couldn’t hold on, dropped the ball at the feet of Morgan, who reacted quickly to stab home.

Arnett coach Jerome Waite praised the team’s effort.

“It was a game of high intensity for both teams and, in the end, Marvin Morgan capitalised on a goalkeeper error. But it was (also) good to see goalkeeper Harrison coming up big with a save of that penalty to provide us with a good win,” he said.

His counterpart Omar Edwards said it was “tough” losing his first game.

“First loss of the season (and) it is a very tough one. We started flat, but were able to gain momentum after having given up a soft goal, to create several opportunities, including missing a penalty… but it was really unfortunate for us,” he noted.

Teams:

Arnett Gardens FC – Mikhail Harrison, Ramone McGregor, Jabeur Johnson, Ranike Anderson, Kemar Phillpotts, Rickardo Oldham (Tamar Edwards 89th), Marvin Morgan (capt), Jamiel Hardware (Lamar Nelson 89th), Lennox Russell (Romario Kelly 77th), Javoni Simms, Kemal Malcolm

Subs not used: Lloyd Tyme, Jamar Martin, Ronaldo Wright, Zhelano Barnes

Booked: Hardware, Malcolm (90+4)

Tivoli Gardens FC – Nicholas Clarke, Nicholas Smith (Andre Dawson 63rd), Barrington Pryce, Kemar Seivwright, Shavar Campbell, Ezron Simpson, Davian Goulbourne (Sean Colman 61st), Howard Morris, Andre Moulton, Colorado Murray, Rodico Wellington (Newton Sterling 71st)

Subs not used: Davin Watkins, Tykvin Garnett, Michael Spence, Hugh Evans

Booked: Morris (50th), Coleman (67th)

Referee: Kevin Morrison

Assistant Referees: Jermaine Yee-Sing, Melvin Reid

Fourth Official: Derron Davy

Match commissioner: Raymond Grant

— Hurbun Williams