The deadly attacking trio of captain Chevone Marsh (15th minute), Alex Marshall (77th), and Nicholas Hamilton (87th) led Cavalier FC to a comfortable 3-0 win over 10-man Arnett Gardens in the Red Stripe Premier League at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex on Sunday night.

The victory for Cavalier was their third in four games over Arnett Gardens this season, and put the Rudolph Speid-coached team on the brink of qualification for the semi-finals.

At Friday’s press conference Marsh had promised that his team would treat the Arnett Gardens ground like home, and that they did. After a frenetic start to the game, the captain, who led from the front all night long, got his team in front when he was played in down the left channel and fired past Mikhail Harrison.

The big turning point in the game came when Arnett Gardens lost Harrison to a straight red card in the 27th minute. The custodian was barged into by Kemoy Simpson following a free kick into the goal area, and despite Referee Oshane Nation making the call in his favour, he proceeded to use foul and abusive language towards the match official.

Michealos Martin was then withdrawn to facilitate substitute goalkeeper Damion Hyatt, and Arnett were then left to play two thirds of the game a man short.

Nicholas Nelson was then presented with the perfect chance to double the Cavalier lead after Simpson flicked on a Marsh corner kick into his path. Despite being unmarked inside the six-yard box, Nelson failed to make proper contact with the ball.

Arnett came out like a team with a purpose in the second half and the visitors were forced to absorb the pressure. Ranike Anderson came closest for the hosts with a powerfully struck free kick that was a foot too high and flew over the crossbar.

Shortly after, Nicholas Nelson was played through on goal and with only Harrison to beat, shot straight at the advancing goalkeeper.

A hooked effort from Anderson, who continued to press high, went just wide of the post as Arnett continued to press for the equaliser.

The leading scorer for Arnett Gardens, Fabian Reid, then missed a glorious opportunity to tie the game when he was picked out with a corner kick at the back post. Despite no Cavalier player being within 10 feet of him, Reid headed the ball wide of the near post.

Arnett were then punished when Marshall scored following a quick Cavalier counter. Nelson was again presented with a chance to score, but Harrison left his line well and spread his big frame to deny the striker. The rebound rolled kindly for Marshall who made no mistake, firing low into the goal from 10 yards to make it 2-0.

Ten minutes later, Hamilton killed off the game, and maybe the tie, when he ran onto a defence-splitting pass from his captain and exquisitely lobbed the advancing Hyatt to make it 3-0 with three minutes left to play in regulation time.

The teams will meet again in a week’s time, with Arnett Gardens having a mountain to climb to prevent their season from coming to a crashing end. Cavalier will feel that their fate is now in their own hands to make the semi-finals a real possibility.

Teams:

Arnett Gardens – Mikhail Harrison, Ranike Anderson, Jabeur Johnson, Tamar Edwards (Lamar Nelson 71st), Zhelano Barnes, Lamard Neil, Jamiel Hardware (Kemal Malcolm 61st), Fabian Reid, Michealos Martin (Damion Hyatt 30th), Marvin Morgan, Jamar Martin.

Subs not used: Steve Clarke, Ramone McGregor, Lennox Russell,

Booked: Harrison (27th-ejected), Neil (50th)

Cavalier FC – Mark Bryan, Chevone Marsh, Alex Marshall, Nicholas Hamilton, Gadail Harding, Jermy Nelson, Jamar Purcell, Leonard Rankine, Kamoy Simpson, Clifton Woodbine, Nicholas Nelson (Kaheem Parris 77th).

Subs not used: Ajum Johnson, St, Michael Edwards, Jason Johnson, Kyle Ming, Ronaldo Webster, Kimani Arbourne,

Booked: Marsh (37th), Simpson (63rd)

Referee: Oshane Nation

Assistant referees: Melvin Reid, Jermaine Yee Singh

Fourth official: Derron Davy

Match commissioner: Garfield McDonald