Reno, Arnett play to draw

Dalton Laing, Gleaner Writer

Westmoreland:

Reno once again failed to collect all three points at home after yesterday's midweek National Premier League encounter against Arnett Gardens at Frome, with both teams playing to a 1-1 tie.

A combination of Delano Rankine and Ajay Richards, who connected to a lobbed cross from the former in the second minute, got the early breakthrough for the hosts, putting Arnett Gardens on the back foot from the get-go.

The visitors employed a counter-attacking approach and were rewarded for their determination in the 28th minute, albeit through an own goal.

Arnett Gardens got a corner kick which went through the clutches of Dennis Taylor in the Reno goal, before bouncing awkwardly off the flatfooted Davian Thorpe and into the net for an own goal.

Reno's technical director Wendell Downswell was once again left disappointed with the performance of his team at home.

"We still need to find that right combination up front to create that offence that is needed," Downswell said. "We introduced a young player and we are hoping that this will lift the attack and finishing of the team."

That young player was striker David McKenzie, who played DaCosta Cup football for Manning's School during last year's competition and got his first taste of top-flight football yesterday.

Paul 'Tegat' Davis, coach of Arnett Gardens, conceded that his team performed in a lacklustre manner, blaming his team's late arrival at the venue for the showing.

"We came in from Kingston late and that may have contributed to the level of play we had today," Davis said. "We didn't play well and the result is there to show the kind of game that was played."

Reno now move to 11 points, one more than Arnett Gardens, who will be at home on Sunday, when they match up with Portmore United.

Downswell and his troops will be travelling to the Second City, where they will face Montego Bay United in their next encounter.