High praises for young Arnett Gardens striker Giovanni Taylor
KINGSTON, Jamaica —Following their opening day 4-0 win over Dublanc FC of Dominica, Arnett Gardens head coach Phillip Williams had high praise for 17-year-old Giovanni Taylor, who stepped up and led from the front.
The young Jamaica College 17-year-old striker Taylor got the ball rolling for Arnett Gardens in the ninth minute, controlling a ball over the top on his chest before firing home.
Shai Smith then scored a brace in the 12th and 16th minutes before Chantomoi Taylor put the icing on the cake in the 90+2 for an emphatic victory.
Arnett Gardens entered the competition without National Striker Warner Brown, who had moved on to Mount Pleasant, and their inspirational leader, Fabian Reid.
Williams told the Jamaica Observer he was very impressed with his team, especially young Taylor, who led the line upfront.
“Just know he is a very good talent and plays very mature for his age and led the line for such an established team,” said Williams.
Taylor is the son of former national striker Fabian Taylor, who is also the assistant coach at Arnett Gardens.
The ‘Junglists’ are second in Group D on three points, behind Club Franciscain of Martinique on goal difference, after they defeated Doc’s United of Anguilla 6-1.
In the third Group D game, AC Port of Spain of Trinidad and Tobago clipped Scholars International FC of the Cayman Islands 2-1 to be in third spot.
Williams, who took charge of the Arnett Gardens team recently and is more renowned for his coaching at St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS), said the team did well.
“It was a complete game by all departments today and a comprehensive win. Lots of positive moments, and even though this is our first competitive game, we were fluid in possession of the ball and were organised defensively,” said Williams.
“The chemistry still needs to be better, but it’s a work in progress. A good win to start the defence of our title, and I hope that this will set the stage for the other games,” he noted.
The competition continues on Monday, but Jamaica will be in action again on Tuesday with a crucial clash with AC Port of Spain.
