Howard Walker, Staff Reporter

Arnett Gardens' central defender Antholow Dawkins (left) shields the ball from Boys' Town's striker George Vernal during their Wray and Nephew National Premier League match at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex yesterday. Boys' Town won 1-0. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

A 74th-minute strike from Marvin Morgan carried Boys' Town to a 1-0 win over Arnett Gardens in their Wray and Nephew National Premier League Trench Town derby at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex yesterday.

A fast counter attack by Boys' Town left Denzil Watson with oceans of space but his torrid shot was blocked by goalkeeper Julian McLeish.

But McLeish had had no answer for Morgan's deflected follow-up shot from 25 metres that flew over his head and nestled in the back of the net.

Boys' Town, with their sixth win of the season, move into seventh position on 27 points, only three behind sixth-place Arnett Gardens on 30 points.

Winning coach Andrew Price said Boys' Town needed the victory because his team has been playing well of late.

Much-needed victory

Said Price: "We definitely needed this victory, it was a long time coming. Over the last six weeks we have been playing some good football and we are getting back players that were injured and we are coming into our own.

"What you saw out there was some good character from the Boys' Town team to come to Arnett Gardens and play a very good game. We matched them stride for stride and took them on," added Price.

Meanwhile, losing coach Glendon 'Admiral' Bailey was pleased with his team's performance although losing at home to their neighbours.

Said Bailey: "Despite losing the game I am pleased with a lot of things. We played the game with a lot of effort and urgency and we applied ourselves well."

Although Arnett Gardens were suffering their ninth loss of the season, Bailey is very optimistic for the third round.

Positive signs

"There are some positive signs and we just have to play with the same type of intensity and we are going to make a push," said Price.

The game started at a fast pace with both teams pressing for the opening goals but that never materialised until midway the second half.

Home team Arnett Gardens, not satisfied with a point, went all out for the winner but were caught on the counter attack.

Coach Bailey brought on all his attacking options and had Kevin Wilson, Kwame Richardson, Marcelino Blackburn, Leon Strickland and Loxley Thompson on the pitch for the last 20 minutes.

Their backline was caught on the counter and Morgan finished off the play brilliantly. But immediately Arnett got two chances and should have equalised. Both opportunities fell to the usually deadly Wilson who missed from close range.

"I took off (Jermaine) Bailey and tried to go on the offensive and when you play at home you always want to get maximum points. I made the first move and unfortunately it didn't work out," explained Bailey.

Arnett Gardens 0

Boys' Town 1

Marvin Morgan 74th