McLeish saves Arnett
published: Thursday | March 6, 2008
Ainsley Walters, Freelance Reporter
Arnett Gardens goalie Julian McLeish dives to block a shot during the Cash Plus Premier League football game against Boys' Town at Collie Smith Drive yesterday. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
FORWARD George Vernal yesterday failed to convert two goalmouth chances for Boys' Town in their Cash Plus Premier League Trench Town derby against Arnett Gardens, which ended in a 0-0 draw at Collie Smith Drive.
Vernal, last year's MVP who spurred the Red Brigade to three straight wins for a flying start to the third round, should have fired his team into third place after getting three chances in five minutes.
"On his better day, he would have put away those chances," coach Andrew Price said after the match which pulled Boys' Town level on points, 39 alongside third-place Waterhouse, who enjoy a better goal difference.
However, Vernal could have changed all that to send his team in chase of leaders Portmore (47) and Tivoli Gardens (46) had he got the better of Arnett goalkeeper Julian McLeish in the 23rd, 27th and 28th minutes.
Arnett actually got the first two chances of the match, which started in light afternoon rain. Boys' Town's goalie Kirk Porter reacted quickly to make a goalline save off Onandi Lowe's header and André Thomas also went close to putting the Junglists ahead.
However, Boys' Town tightened up on defence with Xavian Virgo shutting down centre-forward Lowe and his teammates pushing forward through Vernal, Michael Campbell, Renae Lloyd and Oneil McDonald.
Boys' Town targeted Arnett's left flank and pinned down the Junglists for most of the first half, resulting in McLeish making two fine saves to deny Vernal, who first tested him with a torrid free-kick which the goalie did well to pluck from mid-air, high inside his near post in the 23rd-minute.
Vernal got an easier chance four minutes later inside the six-yard box, off a ball played on by Lloyd, but McLeish did well to deny the Boys' Town striker, blocking the shot with his feet.
Not less than a minute later, Vernal turned Campbell's pass well wide of the upright after the midfielder hustled Arnett's defence to the touchline and played the ball inside for his teammate at the near post.
Arnett's only response was a long-range shot in the 44th-minute from Fabian Davis, which Porter had covered from it left his boot.
Boys' Town failed to penetrate Arnett's defence after the break as it was the Junglists, who went close to going ahead in the 63rd when Thomas unleashed a terrific shot on the run from the right flank, which Porter did well to parry for a corner.
A relieved-looking Jerome Waite admitted McLeish kept his side in the game.
"I think the two teams played creditably," he said. "Boys' Town got three clear chances and we have to credit goalkeeper McLeish."
Arnett moved up to 30 points with the draw but remain eighth in the standings, four points below sixth-place where teams must reach to vie for the league title.
