Win at last for Arnett

Nodley Wright, Gleaner Writer

Arnett Gardens recorded a rare win on Sunday as they defeated then leaders Portmore United 1-0 at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex in the Red Stripe Premier League.

Substitute Vanado Manning supplied the strike which gave the home team a little breathing space above the relegation zone and saw Portmore United slip a place, as Tivoli Gardens inched to the top of the table on goal difference.

The game itself was not an advertisement of beauty, but coach Paul 'Tegat' Davis was happy to get maximum points for only the third time in 10 games this season.

"I think it is the best performance. We soaked up the pressure, played in patches, scored and won. What more could one ask for? This result is long overdue," a relieved Davis said.

Missing chances

Davis added that his team has played the beautiful game on a number of occasions this season, but have had few favourable returns.

"We have been playing well while drawing, losing and missing chances. This win tonight has to be seen as a plus for us," explained Davis, who was without the key trio of defender William Richards, midfielder Jonathan Williams and forward Errol Stevens. Richards and Williams are expected to return to the team soon, but a date for the comeback of Stevens, who is in Vietnam on trial, in not known.

Portmore United's Calvin Lewis was a disappointed man.

"After a first half in which we did not play particularly well, as they packed the midfield with five players, we made some adjustments for the second half and had the better of play, but got carried away with the attacking inroads we were able to make and did not play safely at the back and got caught," said Lewis.

The loss is but a temporary setback, as a point from their next assignment could confirm Portmore's place in the end-of-round final.

With the game heading down the road of another goalless draw in a league lacking goals, Manning, who had entered the game 12 minutes earlier in place of Omar Gordon, came up trumps. The rangy player benefited from the industry of captain and strike partner Kirk Ramsey, who man-handled the sturdily built Upstan Edwards and placed the ball on a platter for him to steer home - much to the delight of the long-suffering Arnett Gardens supporters and the dismay of the travelling Portmore fans.