NIGEL Stewart, the Sporting Central Academy coach, has lauded the contribution of goalkeeper Allien Whittaker to the team’s recent run of form in the Red Stripe Premier League.

Sporting are unbeaten in their last four games, which coincides with Whittaker’s arrival at the Clarendonbased club during the January transfer window.

In those games, they tasted only one victory, but importantly for Stewart, conceded only once. Both rarities came on Sunday against Arnett Gardens in a thrilling 4-1 triumph at Juici Patties Park.

The victory pushes Sporting two places up to sixth on 26 points, four adrift of Arnett in fourth place. “It was a very important victory for us,” said Stewart, “and it was a long time coming.”

“We have been playing well,” he added, “but just could not get that win. Today (Sunday) it came. And it was a pretty good performance. We found the rhythm of our passing game that has been missing.”

But not just that, they scored multiple goals, starting from as early as the third minute when Gregory Lewis’ deflected shot wrongfooted the Arnett goalkeeper Peter Harrison. In the 26th minute, they got another — Huggarth Nugent pouncing on a loose ball with a low strike — and another, a splendid effort which brought everybody to their feet, just eight minutes later.

This time, Renoir Elliot, the little midfield man, claimed responsibility — booting home a goal from some 25 yards, which was just reward for a masterful performance.

He, however, had to rival Whittaker for the Man of the Match display. Whittaker, at times playing almost like a sweeper, kept things tight at the back and thwarted just about everything Arnett — looking to claw their way back into the contest — threw at him.

First, he dove, low to his right, to deny Newton Sterling from the penalty spot with Arnett trailing 3-0, seven minutes to half-time.

Late in the second half, he also saved well from Kemal Malcolm, Fabian Reid and again from Sterling — this time a rasping free-kick.

Unfortunately, veteran Arnett forward Kevin ‘Pele’ Wilson would soil his report card with a 75th-minute consolation, which was quickly avenged by Francois Swaby with Sporting’s fourth goal of the game and his ninth of the season.

That goal from Wilson prevented Whittaker from recording four successive clean sheets on his return to competitive football.

But coach Stewart was still quick to hail the former national goalie for his contribution to a Sporting team who have lost just once in their last seven games.

“Having a goalkeeper in the quality of Allien Whittaker is a tremendous boost,” said Stewart. “His experience has given us more stability in defence.”