After cup success, Davis now targets league crown

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

Arnett Gardens got their first hold on the Claro/KSAFA Champions League trophy after registering a 3-2 win over last year's third-place finisher Waterhouse, in yesterday's final contested at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex.

In the keenly contested match, Rohan Reid opened the scoring for the Junglists in the seventh minute. Arnett Gardens surged further ahead thanks to goals from Kirk Ramsay (29th) and Errol Stevens (69th). Waterhouse were able to pull back two late goals through Peter Keyes (78th) and Maurice Bennett (90+).

Paul 'Tegat' Davis, head coach of Arnett Gardens, believes it all begins here and now wants his team to use this as a catalyst to go on and claim the premier league crown.

"We haven't won a trophy in about six years, so it is good for the guys," Davis said. "You have to try winning small trophies to see what it feels like and then you can try to win big trophies.

He added: "Right now my dream is to win the premier league, so I am going to assess this tournament and see where we need to strengthen."

Arnett Gardens emerged as the competition's top-scoring team having amassed 21 goals in five games while conceding six and Davis is looking for the team to carry this form into the new premier league season.

"This year we are going to focus on scoring goals, so I am going to assess the team (and see) where we need to find more players who can score goals," Davis said.

New man at the helm of Waterhouse, Donavan Duckie was gracious in defeat, but could not help but point out the two goals that were disallowed.

Duckie disappointed

"I am disappointed because of the result, any coach would have been disappointed," Duckie said. "What is important is that we played well and I am very proud of the Waterhouse Football Club.

He added: "We scored four goals today ... but hats off to Waterhouse and congrats to Arnett," he added.

The first of the two contentious calls referred to by Duckie came in the 32nd minute when Jermaine Anderson got the ball in the back of the net, but was deemed to have been offside. Waterhouse again thought they had pulled a goal back in the 43rd minute when Keyes netted, but he was adjudged to have fouled Newton Sterling. This ruling by referee Wilverglen Lamey enraged Duckie, who was ejected from the bench for his reaction.

The win saw Arnett Gardens pocket $250,000 while Waterhouse went home with $170,000 for their troubles. By virtue of having been the team that Arnett Gardens got by in the semi-final, Harbour View was awarded third and $150,000, with the other semi-finalist Cavalier, received $70,000.