Arnett Gardens rebound to whip Waterhouse 3-1

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

Arnett Gardens rebounded from last week's 3-0 drubbing by Sporting Central Academy and a second-minute goal by visitors Waterhouse in their Digicel Premier League encounter on Wednesday to emerge 3-1 winners at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex.

Andre Clennon gave Waterhouse the early lead before strikes by Rohan Reid (45th) and a brace from substitute Ricardo 'Mandela' Stern (74th and 85th) sent the home supporters into a frenzy.

Paul 'Tegat' Davis, coach of Arnett, was very pleased with his team's change in fortune from last Sunday's defeat.

"I think we played with urgency tonight, we went to Sporting Central Sunday and it was like the guys couldn't move. I don't know what happened but we spoke about it," Davis said. ... But they came back tonight and really gave a good account of themselves."

Intensity

Waterhouse, who occupy second spot in the 12-team table, took the lead with the game's first attack when a shot by their captain, Kenardo Forbes, was charged down in the area. Clennon gathered the loose ball before rounding the keeper and firing into the empty net after just two minutes.

Arnett did not drop their intensity and were justly rewarded on the stroke of half-time when the Waterhouse defence failed to properly clear a corner, which saw Rohan Reid fire home a superb shot from 30 yards out.

Rising to the occasion

The second half saw the home team go in search of the winner as they introduced Stern in the 51st minute. This move soon paid off as, despite being the smallest player on the park, he rose above everyone to head the eighth-place 'Junglists' into the lead in the 74th minute. The points were sealed 11 minutes later when Stern pounced on a loose ball in the area after a free kick from his teammate, Ricardo Oldham, was blocked. He slotted home past the onrushing Waterhouse keeper, Richard McCallum.

"The team is playing well and I just have to give thanks to the guys for putting out the effort to play for Arnett Gardens," Davis stated. "Arnett Gardens is a football community and without football they are nothing ... football makes this community what it is."

Waterhouse's coach, Baris Johnson, was gracious in defeat and maintained that his team played well.

"I think we played a very good game in terms of the transition; it was very good," Johnson expressed. "The ball movement was very good but, unfortunately, we didn't come away with a point, but credit to Arnett. I think they (Arnett) played a very disciplined and well-organised second half," he added.