Arnett Gardens on Sunday spoiled Portmore United’s long-awaited homecoming at Ferdie Neita Park with a 2-1 win and moved to within two points of leaders Mount Pleasant who were held to a 0-0 draw by Harbour View.

Shia Smith opened the scoring for Arnett Gardens in the 38th minute, steering home a free kick against his former team. It was his third goal in four games since his January transfer.

Against the run of play, Emelio Rosseau pulled Portmore United level from the penalty spot in the 52nd, but Marlon Allen rammed home in the 64th minute from close range and propelled Arnett Gardens to their ninth win from 15 games.

The Paul Davis-coached Arnett have consolidated second spot with 30 points and are just two points adrift of leaders Mount Pleasant on 32, while Portmore United slipped to eighth spot on 18 points.

It was a refreshing sight at the Ferdie Neita Park just to see fans streaming into the iconic venue that was closed for nine years, which was even made sweeter as Portmore also welcomed back the talented playmaker Lamar Walker to the team in his first game of the season.

But the visiting Arnett Gardens had other ideas, and they turned in a polished display to get the better of Portmore United.

Despite his team’s victory, Coach “Tegat” Davis was not pleased with the playing surface.

“[In] the JPL [Jamaica Premier League], you can’t drop your standard. I am disappointed. I don’t know if it’s politics or friend. The football level right now in the JPL is up, but you don’t bring football on a field like this. It is disrespecting to the teams,” Davis complained to the Jamaica Observer.

“If you want to see good football, put us on good fields. It was a good win, but we just played how the field was — bumpy and jumpy. Both teams just played casual, and we just capitalised on two chances,” he added.

Meanwhile, his counterpart Philip Williams was hoping to celebrate the return home in style, but his team failed to give the hundreds of fans who came out something to cheer about.

“We were hoping that the home advantage would have worked for us today. We played well, but the two goals that we gave up, I think we could have done much better and prevented them,” Williams pointed out.

Earlier, Dunbeholden FC rebounded with a 4-2 hammering of Faulkland FC on the back of a double from Stephen Barnett (17th, 64th minutes). An own goal in the 22nd minute by Stephen McLeod and a another strike from Rohan Brown in the 83rd minute completed the scoring.

Dunbeholden ended their three-game winless streak and secured their sixth win of the season and consolidated sixth position with 22 points.

Rondel Thomas (61st) and Val Armstrong (72nd) replied for Faulkland as they suffered their 10th defeat and remained in 13th spot on seven points.

At Drax Hall, home team Mount Pleasant were held to a 0-0 draw by Harbour View as the league leaders inched to 32 points. The Stars of the East stayed fifth on 23 points.

Humble Lion climbed into third spot on 29 points with a 2-1 win over Molynes United at the Effortville Community Centre. Javon Smith (10th) and Gregory Lewis (50th) scored for Humble Lion, while Jermy Nelson (25th) replied for Molynes United, who are 11th on 15 points.

At Drewsland, former champions Waterhouse FC whipped Montego Bay United 3-0 and jumped into seventh position on 21 points. Denardo Thomas (5th), Kenroy Howell (44th), and Ramone Howell (90+1) were the scorers for Waterhouse.

Montego Bay United, with their sixth defeat of the season, remained in 10th spot on 17 points.