Xavier Gilbert, head coach of Arnett Gardens, expressed joy after his team defeated rivals Waterhouse 5-1 to secure the third-place trophy in the Jamaica Premier League encounter at the National Stadium on Sunday.

Arnett’s victory was powered by double strikes from Shai Smith, in the 24th and 66th minutes, and Kaheim Dixon (46th and 89th). Veteran Fabian Reid scored the other goal for Arnett Gardens in the 51st minute.

Jaheim Dorman netted for Waterhouse in the 33rd minute.

Arnett’s win sealed their spot in this year’s Caribbean Football Union Club Shield Championship.

“This means a lot to us because Arnett Gardens is one of the biggest clubs in Jamaica, in terms of popularity. Everywhere you go around the Caribbean people know about Arnett Gardens, and they will tell you they are fans of Arnett Gardens, so it is very good for us to make it to this club championship,” said Gilbert.

“Winning the title this year was our main objective, of course, but after missing out at the semi-final stages, I think this is very good for us,” he said.

Reflecting on the manner of the victory in the third-place play-off match, Gilbert said his team could have scored even more.

“I am very pleased with the way we performed in this match, but I am a little disappointed that we didn’t score a lot more goals in the first half. We came out in the second half, picked up, and scored four goals, and so I am happy for that,” said Gilbert, who is also the assistant coach of Jamaica’s senior Reggae Girlz team.

After an exciting 1-1 scoreline at the end of the first half, Arnett came out firing on all cylinders in the second period, outplaying Waterhouse in every department.

The live wire Dixon, who tormented Waterhouse defenders down the right flank with his speed and swift dribbling, sent Arnett in front one minute into the second half with a brilliant curling effort that went like a rocket past custodian Asher Hutchinson.

Reid increased Arnett’s lead five minutes later when he arrived in the centre of the 18-yard box to fire home a thunderbolt shot past Hutchinson, giving his team a 3-1 lead. Arnett quickly wrapped up the victory as Smith and Dixon returned to score.