Arnett Gardens give up late goal in 1-1 draw
Following last week’s club shake-up, Arnett Gardens turned in an intense display, looked all over a winner, but were left disappointed yet again after conceding late for a 1-1 draw with lowly Village United in the Digicel Premier League match at the Tony Spaulding Sports Complex on Sunday.
Richard “Charlie Chaplin” Bennett, the three-game interim coach, took his position on the bench alongside assistant coach Calvin Lewis, while head coach Fabian Davis started in midfield.
Bennett, the former coach of the star-studded Border Patrol team in the 1980s and 1990s which used to challenge the Premier League teams for cash, described Arnett’s performance as encouraging.
Said Bennett: “The guys played according to how I instructed them, but unfortunately, a player handled the ball in the box. It was like bad luck.”
Bennett, with his first stroke of genius, brought on Rohan Reid in the 75th minute for Kevin King and eight minutes later he was on the scoresheet.
The lanky midfielder latched onto a Kevin Wilson flick-on to fire past goalkeeper Elvis Hart from what seemed an acute angle.
It was a well-deserved goal as Arnett turned back the years with some enterprising football, especially with wingbacks Lennox Creary and Nicholas Dodd adding width and flair.
Arnett Gardens had won once in their last nine games and Reid’s effort looked like the winner with eight minutes remaining, but central defender Rasheede Clarke, who was having a solid game, handled a cross while trying to control with his upper body with no Village player near him.
Referee Raymond Bogle had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot, allowing Troy Smith to calmly slot home for a share of the points in the 90th minute.
Smith was scoring his second penalty of the season and his team-high fifth goal playing as a wingback.
“They worked good and followed the instructions. They executed the passes but unfortunately we missed about 11 chances. A youth them and them under stress too, so we just have to build and come again,” Bennett told the Observer.
Meanwhile, Village United’s coach Paul “Tegat” Davis, who gave a debut to 17-year-old Allan Ottey of St James High School, said his team deserved something from the game.
Said Davis: “We gave up a cheap goal, but overall we deserved it. It was a good game.”
Both Arnett Gardens and Village United dropped two crucial points, but it was more disappointing for the home team which dominated and took the lead.
Arnett Gardens, who have picked up just seven points from their last 10 games, slipped a spot to 10th with 20 points. They are just four points above Village United and the relegation zone.
Teams: Arnett Gardens — Leighton Murray, William Richards, Rasheede Clarke, Anthowe Dawkins, Nicholas Dodd, Oneil Robinson, Lennox Creary (Dwayne Plummer 79th), Fabian Davis, Kevin King (Rohan Reid 75th), Leon Strickland (Courtney Reid 86th), Kevin Wilson.
Subs not used: G Neil, W Walker, D McKinley, N Collins.
Booked: None
Village United — Elvis Hart, Troy Smith, Andre Moore (John Barrett 83rd), Lance Laing, Orlando McBean, Ladale Richie, Cordel Simpson, Fitzroy Campbell, Omar Allen (Teofore Bennett 63rd), Everett Mullings (Ricardo Morris 83rd), Allan Ottey.
Subs not used: K Llewellyn, S Campbell, D Henry, J Barrett, A Williams.
Booked: None
Referee: Raymond Bogle
Assistant Referees: Anthony Garwood, Stacy-Ann Greyson
Fourth Official: Wilverglen Lamey
Match Commissioner: Martin Lyn
Assessor: Texchus Nembhard