IT was not the polished Arnett Gardens show that fans hoped for, but the Red Stripe Premier League leaders did enough to gain three valuable points courtesy of a 1-0 victory over the home team at Barbican field yesterday.
Defender Dicoy Williams scored the decisive goal in the 21st minute.
The win, importantly, extended Arnett Gardens’ winning roll to 10 matches. Some football watchers claim the win streak is a record in top-flight football, but others question its accuracy.
Arnett, who consolidated their lead by moving to 44 points, had a glorious chance to double their advantage in the 89th minute, but Jabeur Johnson’s penalty was well saved by goalkeeper Ashek Taylor.
And even with a second bite of the cherry, as Taylor generously pushed the ball to his feet in his diving block, Johnson’s follow-up attempt went high to disturb a barbecue under way at nearby Barbican Beach.
The result keeps Barbican at the foot of the standings with 18 points and in serious danger of being relegated.
After 20 minutes of even exchanges on the field, Arnett gradually stepped up
their presence in and around their opponents’ 18-yard box as they sought to open the floodgates.
Following a number of timely build-ups, the league leaders threatened seriously for the first time in the 21st minute when Leon Strickland combined with Dasha Satchwell for the latter to deliver a flanking lay-off for Alanzo Adlam, but the latter’s angled low shot was scrambled for a corner.
And the deadlock was duly broken seconds later when former national defender and Harbour View standout Williams used his towering frame to head home from the resulting corner.
Five minutes later, the ‘Junglists’ were again on the hunt, using to good effect the speed and skill of Adlam, who crossed low inside for Strickland, but the sharp-shooter uncharacteristically mis-kicked.
Following through, an onrushing Andre Clennon was in no mood to copy his strike partner’s earlier blunder and made solid contact with the ball, but the effort lacked finesse and precision and rocketed skyward.
Truth be told, Barbican did not look like a cellar-dwelling team yesterday. Nor did they show championship quality. But more than anything, they demonstrated a fighting spirit that will be a necessity in their death-defying bid to avoid the drop.
Though they did not penetrate with any consistency, Barbican did threaten occasionally through Lennox Russell, Andrew Parris, Keno Simpson and Nicholas Smith.
Teams: BARBICAN — Akeem Brown (Jamoly Green 83rd), Mario McDonald, Ramone McGregor, Jermaine Parris (Shaquille Lewis 50th), Andre Christie, Keno Simpson, Nicholas Smith, Asek Taylor, Okive Blake, Kemar Thomas, Lennox Russell (Akino Bailey 89th)
Subs not used: Nicholas Campbell, Dadrian Dixon, Shavon Charlton, Shennar Parkinson
Booked: Russell (39th), Lewis (68th)
ARNETT GARDENS — Peter Harrison, Dicoy Williams, Jabeur Johnson, Jamar Martin, Dasha Satchwell (Marcelino Blackburn 75th), Renae Lloyd, Marvin Morgan (Jahmeel Thampson 68th), Leon Strickland, Alanzo Adlam, Kenniel Hyde, Andre Clennon (Jason Moore 83rd)
Subs not used: Damion Hyatt, Jerry Walters, Michaelos Martin, Kemal Malcolm
Booked: Satchwell (17th)
Referee: Oshane Nation
Assistant Referees: Ricardo Morgan, Stephanie-Dale Yee-Sing
Fourth Official: Odette Hamilton
– Sean Williams
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