Arnett hit top form

By Nodley Wright, Staff Reporter

Harbour View forward Fabian Taylor (left) tries to flick the ball over the head of his marker Oneil Dunn during a National Premier League match between Harbour View and Arnett Gardens at Harbour View. Arnett Gardens won 2-0. - Michael Sloley

DEFENDING champions Arnett Gardens showed signs that they are returning to the form they displayed in the latter stages of the comnpetition last season with a 2-0 win over former champions Harbour View.

Fabian Davis opened the scoring in the 77th minute and substitute Kwame Richardson added the second in the 84th minute. It was a blooming day for Arnett Gardens as their Under-21 team hammered Harbour View 3-0 with goals from Shane Johnson, Oneil Marshall and captain Kierald McLeod.

The scoreline in the feature though was not an accurate reflection of the way the game flowed.

So brilliant was the display by both teams especially in the first half, both technically and tactically - it should have been televised.

The game started out evenly before Arnett Gardens who fielded former national representative, Adonis Maxwell, edged ahead. Harbour View were to have the first real, opportunity on goal in the seventh minute when captain Robert Scarlett got away down the left flank and sent a cross which teased the defence as it curled away from them and towards the head of Fabian Taylor who headed just wide.

Two minutes later Maxwell had an opportunity to put his team ahead when he sneaked in behind Scarlett in the 18-yard box and picked his pocket. He however failed to get his shot on target as Scarlett and goalkeeper Leon Gordon breathed a sigh of relief.

As the half progressed what became clear was that the defenders got strict instructions not to allow oposing forwards Taylor, Dino Williams and Walter Boyd any room. For Arnett Gardens Oneil Dunn kept a close watch on Taylor, Shane Stevens stuck to Dino Williams and William Richards with help from the young but impressive Christopher Harvey stayed on Boyd.

Maxwell got another opportunity in the 23rd minute when Boyd in one of his dribbles at goal was tackled by Baris Johnson and the ball broke for him. He shot high. By this time Harbour View had worked themselves back on par with the visitors.

Six minutes later, Dino Williams was to miss one of his many chances. Clifton Waugh passed a long ball out of defence which beat sweeper Eugene Barnes allowing Dino Williams the break but he failed to make his opportunity count.

In one of the rare moments he got away from his marker, Dunn, Taylor dropped deep into midfield and started a play just above the half line. He fed Scarlett down the left flank and the pacy flank man left Stevens and Jonathan Williams standing before sending another perfect cross inside for Taylor ho had his header saved by Collins who had a brilliant day.

A minute later Arnett Gardens had two chances in quick succession as a Boyd freekick was saved by Gordon and a cross from the wiry but lively Jonathan Williams evaded Boyd, Maxwell and Davis. The fast-paced game got even more exciting approaching the half time whistle and with five minutes to go Dunn made a rare mistake, miskicking and allowing Taylor to get the ball. He recovered quickly with a solid tackle.

The action swung to the other end immediately with Gregory Messam getting an opportunity in the box. He took too long to fire and was robbed of the ball. The action was back down the other end on the next play.

Scarlett again broke down the left flank and appeared to foul Eugene Barnes before squaring for Dino Williams whose close-ranged effort was saved by Collins.

Harbour View did their homework at half time and came out a much more purposeful team. They recognised that the attacking left back Messam ventured too far forward and capitalised on it.

Just eight minutes into the half, Scarlett picked out Daniel Shaw with a perfect cross from the left flank. With Messam out of position Shaw could not beat Collins.

Harbour View also had another four chances in quick succession beginning in the 56th minute. Three of them weer created from the right flank.

On the first occasion, midfielder Kahreem Cooke got in behind the defence but was kept out by Collins. A minute later Collins did well to palm away a square from Shaw with Scarlett waiting to nod it home.

Scarlett got into the box soon after and just as he was about to unleash, Dunn, the only defender in sight regained ground put in an excellent tackle.

Arnett Gardens had their opportunity too and a 67th minute corner from Davis was missed by Jonathan Williams who stole in front of goalkeeper Gordon who missed the ball.

The goal that was missing from the match came in the 77th minute from the boot of Davis after the annoying Jonathan Williams was fouled about 20 yards from the goal by Harvey. Davis made them pay with a lovely freekick which nestled in the top left-hand corner of the goal as Gordon dived in vain.

Soon after Harbour View lost the talented Taylor to injury after he took on about four challengers and won. His final effort looked like a chip at goal but he went down right away clutching his left ankle and was replaced by Shawn Henry.

Harbour View never gave up and kept running at the opposition. Collins tipped a long-ranged drive from Scarlett around the goal before Henry blasted a haded pass from Jermaine Hue high with only Collins to beat with eight minutes to go.

Four minutes after that miss Arnett Gardens scored again. Boyd broke to the left beating the off-side trap as he collected a pass from Jonathan Williams. Gordon tried to charge him down but only succeeded in deflecting the ball to substitute Kwamwe Richardson who could not miss and did not.

"This is the best tactical game I think we have played so far since the season. Both teams were phyisically, technically as well as tactically ready," said a happy Jerome Waite at the final whistle who added that his team played a "cat and mouse game".

His team, he said, had a good allround game but singled out goalkeeper Collins who he recognised as man of the match, for praise.

YESTERDAY'S RESULTS

Harbour View 0 Arnett Gardens 2

Constant Spring 0 Waterhouse 0

Duhaney Park 0 Reno 1

Hazard 1 Village 0

Wadadadah 1 Tivoli 1

NPL STANDINGS

Teams	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	Pts
Hazard	4	3	0	1	5	3	9
Reno	4	3	0	1	5	5	9
Arnett	4	2	1	1	6	5	7
Harbour View	4	2	0	2	6	5	6
Village	4	1	2	1	5	4	5
C Spring	4	1	2	1	7	7	5
Wadadah	4	1	2	1	7	6	5
Tivoli	4	1	2	1	6	5	5
Waterhouse	4	1	1	2	3	4		4
Duhaney Park	4	0	0	4	1	7	0

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