A late strike by Fabian Reid in the 87th minute led Arnett Gardens to a 2-1 win over Boys’ Town in the Red Stripe Premier League Trench Town derby at the Barbican field yesterday.
It was a crucial blow to the home team, Boys’ Town, who looked the more purposeful throughout, but the end result typified how their season has been going.
It was Boys’ Town’s third loss in their last four games, and their them 13th overall from 19, which condemns to the bottom of the league on 12 points and in real danger of relegation.
The inconsistent Arnett Gardens were notching their second-consecutive win and their eighth overall to consolidate sixth spot on 28 points.
Birthday boy Ranike Anderson had given Arnett Gardens the lead in the 57th minute via the penalty spot after Fabian Reid was brought down in the box.
National invitee Shamar Nicholson pulled Boys’ Town level with a neat finish in the 75thth minute after brilliant work by another invitee, Jameil Hardware.
It was Nicholson’s 10th goal of the season, which keeps him atop the chart in the golden boots race.
But, despite their below par performance, Arnett Gardens eked out victory as a Lennox Russell cross was nodded down by Anderson for Reid, who made no mistake from just inside the box in the 87th minute.
In other games, Tivoli Gardens edged Jamalco 1-0 and closed the gap on leaders Montego Bay United to just one point. Marvin Stewart netted the winner in the fourth minute to propel Tivoli Gardens to their eighth win from their last nine games. They stayed in second spot on 38 points. Jamalco remained ninth with 20 points.
The University of the West Indies (UWI) remained in third spot on 35 points with a close 1-0 win over Harbour View. Davion Garrison found the clincher in the 11th minute. Harbour View, who were suffering the ninth defeat of the season, stayed dangerously just above the relegation zone in 10th spot on 20 points.
At Effortville Community Centre, home team Humble Lion brushed aside the promoted Maverley-Hughenden 2-0 and gained a spot to fourth on 34 points. Gary McIntosh and Jermaine Christian scored in the 63rd and 86th minutes, respectively. Maverley stayed in eighth spot on 20 points.
Meanwhile, Reno kept their play-off hopes alive with a 2-0 win over Waterhouse at Drewsland. Kavar Walker and Craig Foster scored in the 17th and 44th minutes, respectively, as Westmoreland-based outfit stayed in seventh on 24 points, four points adrift of the last play-off spot held by Arnett Gardens.
Teams:
Boys’ Town — Shavon Wilson, Xavian Virgo, Wayne Ellis, Ricardo Dennis, Anthony Dawes, Daemion Benjamin, Chavanney Willis, Andrew Allen, Jameil Hardware, Orlando Brown (Michael Campbell 55th), Shamar Nicholson.
Subs not used: Dean Edwards, Jahvon Howell, Tarrique Campbell, Kevon Wilson, Kimarley Fray, Garfield Gillespie.
Booked: Ellis (54th).
Arnett Gardens — Damian Hyatt, O’Neil Thompson, Jabeur Johnson, Ranike Anderson, Renae Lloyd (Steve Clarke 49th), Jason Moore (Tamar Edwards, 78th), Marvin Morgan, Kenneil Hyde, Fabian Reid, Leon Strickland, Lennox Russell (Damari Deacon 89th).
Subs not used: Carlloyd Walters, Jamar Martin, Lamar Nelson, Chevoun Crooks.
Booked: Morgan (19th), Thompson (70th).
Referee: Kevin Morrison
Assistant Referees: Richard Washington, Lloyd Edwards
Fourth Official: Karl Tyrell
Match Commissary: Uken Campbell
