Kemal Malcolm came in from the cold with a double strike that helped push Arnett Gardens FC up to third place from fifth on the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) standings after defeating Humble Lion FC 3-0 at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex in a late kick-off on Monday.

Malcolm scored in the 45th and 53rd minutes, while second half substitute Javoni Simms added another in 90th+3 minute to complete the victory for the former five-time RSPL champions.

While victory moved Arnett Gardens to 26 points, one behind second-placed Waterhouse FC, Humble Lion, despite the loss, remained in seventh position on 19 points.

Head Coach Jerome Waite was heartened by the performance, especially his defensive unit. “Today’s game was a tactical one where Arnett Gardens were concerned. We started out a bit tentative but apart from that the game was pretty much a physical one, especially in the first half, but we ended the half by scoring on the stroke of half time to give us a good cushion going to the break.

“In the interim we got the team together in the changing room and talked them into forgetting the physical nature of the game. Just put the ball down and finish the job. They returned for the second half and really applied themselves well, tactically, because we are ball players and produced two further goals. The opponents came out and fired a few good shots but overall it was a good game for us. We started the game in fifth spot and now we are in third and will be looking forward for the team to step up another notch. This is our fourth game with clean sheets and that is a very good sign for the team owing to the defensive unit that has been playing well.”

LiJ Yasu Simms, assistant to Head Coach Glendon “Admiral” Bailey of Humble Lion, felt shattered by the feeble display of his team, especially in the first half when Arnett Gardens were scrappy and looked vulnerable. “Really I did not think we played well today. We were laid back while Arnett were quicker to the ball and showed greater purpose. Without question with such a performance we will just have to go back to drawing board and retool.

“There is no question about talent; we have the talent there to do the job of winning. What we must do though, is we just have to work much harder to overcome a few teething problems. In the game we could have done much better, but Renae Lloyd got an injury which put him out and he was the one who was moving the ball from one area to the next. His forced departure slowed up the game for us as after this we were not moving off the ball as we should have, hence the soft display. But all is not lost, we are in seventh position and have the material to turn this around,” added Simms.

Teams

Arnett Garden FC — Damion Hyatt, Ramone McGregor, Ranike Anderson, Jabeur Johnson, Kemar Phillpotts (Jamiel Hardware 80th), Tamar Edwards, Zhelano Barnes, Vishinul Harris (Jamar Martin 50th), Kemal Malcolm (Javoni Simms 79th), Fabian Reid, Marvin Morgan

Subs not used: Mikhail Harrison, Steve Carke, Lamar Nelson, Rickardo Oldham

Booked: Phillpotts (31th)

Humble Lion FC — Damion Crooks, Levaughn Williams, Oniel Thompson, Kirk Duckworth, Kemar Drake, Renae Lloyd (Cory Hylton 55th), Michael Binns, Andrew Vanzie, Leonardo Jibbison ( Lorenzo Lewin 57th), Keniel Hyde, Craig Foster (Romeo Wright 57th)

Subs not used: Kenie Petrie, Rohan Richards, Atiba Champers, Hughan Gray

Booked: Lloyd (50th), Binns (56th), Lewin (59th), Hylton (66th)

Referee: Oshane Nation

Assistant Referees: Stephanie Yee Sing, Princess Brown

Fourth Official: Cardella Samuels

Match Commissioner: Horace Lewis