Adrian Frater, News Editor

Seba United's Delroy Ellis (right) attempting to beat Arnett's Oneil Robinson in yesterday's National Premier League match at Jarrett Park. Arnett Gardens won 2-1. - photo by Adrian Frater

Western Bureau:

Seba United were relegated from the National Premier League yesterday afternoon when they were beaten 2-1 by Arnett Gardens at Jarrett Park in Montego Bay.

In a game from which Arnett Gardens needed just a point to pull them clear of the relegation drop, they snatched a workmanlike victory through Horace Sharpe (penalty) and substitute Andrew Phang. Seba got their lone goal from Delroy Ellis (penalty).

"Today we came here for a point and we got all three so we are pleased," said Arnett Garden's coach Jerome Waite. "It looked like it was going to be a draw, but we put in Phang (Andrew) as a late substitute and he did the trick for us."

For Seba United the defeat and relegation was a bitter pill for assistant coach Alrick Henry, who bemoaned the fact that internal problems had stripped the team of most of its senior players.

Fumbled

"We played well in patches but because we had so many inexperienced players out there, they were not able to step up when they were required to," said Henry. "We will just have to pick up the pieces and look to the future."

Seba looked like making it a good afternoon when Edward Campbell sent Ellis clear in the seventh minute. However, he fumbled and lost possession to the advancing goalkeeper.

Arnett made the first real attack on goal a rewarding one when Kevin Wilson rounded the goal-keeper and fired goalward only to see Seba's Jerome Eccleston deflecting the ball away with his hand, which earned him a red card and got Arnett a penalty. Sharpe made no mistake from the spot.

Six minutes later Seba earned a penalty when Ellis was fouled deep inside Arnett's penalty area. Ellis got up and converted by booting past the goalkeeper for a 1-1 half-time score.

The second half started with Arnett in control. They created good chances through Garfield Rennicks and Cornell Chin-Sue in the 52nd and 59th minutes, but wasted both opportunities.

Three substitutions

After making three substitutions, bringing on Andrew James, Norman Foster and Terrence McIntyre, Seba created and wasted another good chance. McIntrye turned on the edge of the area but fired straight at the goalkeeper.

With Seba United looking threatening, Arnett replaced the tiring Fabian Davis in midfield with the robust Oniel Robinson. The tide swung Arnett's way with chances going to Wilson and Phang.

With time running out in the game, Phang pounced on a loose ball just outside the penalty area in the 90th minute and cracked the winner past goalkeeper Jacomeno Barrett.