ARNETT Gardens continued their pacesetting form in the second round of the National Premier League with a 3-0 whipping of former champions Waterhouse.
Also keeping pace were defending champions and end-of-first-round winners Harbour View who, through a Daniel Shaw goal, beat Constant Spring 1-0.
At Cling Cling Oval, former champions Reno played to their third successive draw as they ended 1-1 with first round strugglers Olympic Gardens. It was Olympic Gardens' second straight draw having played to a 3-3 with Wadadah.
At the Tony Spaulding Complex, home team Arnett Gardens stopped their rivals with a brace from Kwame Richardson (6th and 36th minutes) and a single strike from national forward Onandi Lowe in the 80th minute. With the win Arnett Gardens maintained their place at the top of the table on seven points from three games.
In second place on six points are Harbour View who have played a game less. Seba who beat Tivoli 2-0 at Jarrett Park are on four points in third. Reno, with three points are in fourth spot ahead of Waterhouse and Constant Spring, also on three points, as they both lost.
At the Tony Spaulding Sports Complex, the game was not of the highest quality but the home team took the lead in the sixth minute from a Richardson strike. The former Charlie Smith marksman used his pace to good effect as he pounced on a Fabian Davis cross to knock home.
Waterhouse were lucky not to go further behind in the 35th minute as Cornel Chin-Sue without having to do much failed to find the back of the net yards from the goal after a perfect Davis cross.
Whatever sighs of relief they breathed after soon became despairing gasps as Richardson converted his second to extend the lead. Big forward Lowe with defender on his back just outside the Waterhouse goal area, held up the ball a bit before sending a through pass for Richardson to outrun his marker Tafari Oconnor. After appearing to foul his man, Richardson slotted past the advancing Loxley Reid in goal for Waterhouse.
With about five minutes to go before the half time break, Waterhouse forward Kevin Lamey ceased to be a factor in the game as he got a cut on his head. He returned to action just before half time but did not contribute much.
Mid-way the second half Arnett could have had their third goal when a mistimed jump by Kevin Eldemire released Richardson. Lowe who was up front with Richardson was slow to move and when he did and collected the pass his angle was narrowed and he fired across the goal.
Midway the second half Waterhouse made their second and most effective change bringing on the speedy Roberto Fletcher for Andrew Holloway. Fletcher was to bring energy to the sterile Waterhouse attack. On one occasion he got by the solid Shane Stevens down the right flank and crossed inside only for sweeper Eugene Barnes to head out.
Besides Fletcher the only other threat to Arnett's goal came from Irvino English who had two testing corners turned over the goal by substitute goalkeeper Julian McLeish.
The final goal was to come in the 80th minute when Lowe converted on the second attempt a corner from Davis. On the first occasion his header came back off Reid for him to slide in with the boot to finish off.
YESTERDAY'S RESULTS
Arnett Gardens 3 Waterhouse 0
Olympic Gardens 1 Reno 1
Constant Spring 0 Harbour View 1
Seba 2 Tivoli Gardens 0
