Ainsley Walters, Freelance Writer

REJUVENATED Arnett Gardens last night clipped promoted August Town 1-0 at the Tony Spaulding Sports Complex to move within four points of leaders Harbour View with the First Round Final two games away.

Striker Leon Strickland coolly finished a flat left-sided square from midfielder Marcelino Blackburn, side-footing his 57th-minute shot to the left of goalie Devon Haughton, who was pulled to his near post during the build-up.

Strickland's goal took Arnett to 16 points, three closer to Waterhouse, who moved to 19 after drawing 2-2 with leaders Harbour View at Drewsland.

Taylor saves the day

Former national striker Fabian Taylor saved the day for Harbour View, who were 2-1 down after leading 1-0 in the early stages but fell behind after Garfield Reid and Brian Wollaston scored for the champions.

However, with two games to go before the First Round Final, Arnett Gardens coach Glendon 'Admiral' Bailey said he is hoping to collar one of the leaders.

"We're taking it one step at a time," he said.

"Today, we kept our one-goal lead. We've spent a lot of time working on not conceding goals and the players are understanding the format we want them to play," added Bailey, who turned around Arnett's fortunes midway the round after axing seven players including the club's leading scorer last season, Kwame Richardson.

"It's a good win," remarked Bailey. "We're getting closer to the End-Of-Round final and we want to draw closer to the leaders."

Strickland and Blackburn were the toast of the fans but it was a big run, from inside Arnett's half, by left-back Mardio Simpson, that led to the winning goal. Breaking from inside his half, Simpson cut into midfield and skipped Chauncey Delahaye's lazy challenge before advancing further to find Blackburn lurking on the left side of August Town's box.

The stylish player dribbled to near the touchline before placing a firm cross into the area for Strickland, who made no mistake to move his tally to a league-leading eight strikes this season.

August Town's loss enabled Village to climb one ahead on nine points after drawing 1-1 with Tivoli Gardens at Railway Oval.<

Arnett - 1

Leon Strickland (57th minute)

August Town 0