DRAX HALL, St Ann — Arnett Gardens defeated Highgate United 2-1 at Drax Hall in their Red Stripe Premier League game on Sunday.

Kirk Ramsay (18th minute) and Leon Strickland (38th) got the goals for the victors, while Carlos Barrett reduced the deficit in the 90th minute from the penalty spot for the hosts.

Arnett took the lead when Marcelino Blackburn floated his free-kick into the danger area for Ramsey to head home after the Highgate defence hesitated to address the threat and paid the price.

Highgate had a chance to respond almost immediately, but Barrett and Christopher Harris failed to slot home after getting a chance at the cherry with the same play.

Arnett consolidated their lead when a long ball fell nicely for Strickland to chest the ball into the goal, not a preferred part of the body for shooting, but more commonly used for trapping the ball.

In their zest to pull a goal back, Highgate’s nightmare got worse when they lost Andre Dyce in the 49th minute for his second caution.

But after some toiling, Highgate got their goal from the penalty spot when Anthowe Dawkins handled the ball. Barrett made sure from the 12-yard spot.

Calvin Lewis, a former Highgate coach, was delighted with the three points for his current club Arnett.

“We are happy for the three points and it was the first time we are beating them (Highgate). We scored two early goals, did what we wanted to do and stayed behind the ball. They came at us and we did what was required,” he said.

Losing coach Michael Smith was a disappointed man. “We did a lot of work in the week to get this game, but we went down with two stupid goals. We went down to 10 players, but the team played with a lot of character and we got back a goal,” he noted.

TEAMS: Highgate — Richard Allison, Charles Williams, Dwayne Edwards, Andre Dyce, Kadeen Davis, Christopher Harris (Taffarel Crosdale 57th), Sheldon Davis (Kevin Williams 75th), Shamir Stewart (Jahmika Hutchinson 86th), Kwesi Williams, Carlos Barrett, Severo Murphy

Subs not used: Tenniel Riley, Romaine Hamilton, Romario York

Booked: Dyce (17th, 49th-ejected)

Arnett Gardens — Damion Hamilton, Desmond Breakenridge, Anthowe Dawkins, Oniel Thompson (Kemar D Drown 81st), Jason Moore, Leon Strickland (Kemar Malcolm 46th), Marcelino Blackburn, Fabian Reid, Ricardo Smith, Kirk Ramsey (Errol Stevens 54th), Kenniel Hyde

Subs not used: Peter Harrison, Vishinul Harris, Richard Williams, Dwayne Gaynor

Booked: Blackburn (60th), Kemar D Brown (82nd)

Referee: Cardella Samuels

Assistant Referees: Stacy-Ann Grayson, Lloyd Reader

Fourth Official: Tyrone Robinson

Match Commissary: Constantine Cunningham