FORMER champions Arnett Gardens continued their hot streak in the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) with a gutsy 2-1 win over Boys’ Town in the Trench Town derby at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex on Monday night.

Marvin Morgan and Andre Clennon scored for Arnett, while Daemon Benjamin pulled back a late goal for the visitors.

The victory — their seventh straight — elevated Arnett Gardens to the top of the standing with 35 points. Boys’ Town stay 10th with 16 points.

Starting the game on 32 points and trailing champions Montego Bay United by a point, Arnett Gardens had to win to distance themselves from the marginal leaders. They also had to win to prevent a third straight defeat at the hands of Boys’ Town.

Before fans had settled at the venue, Morgan scored to ease the nerves of his teammates. The third-minute goal was the tonic Arnett Gardens needed and they laid siege to Boys’ Town’s goal area for the major part of the half, but without further success as Boys’ Town redoubled their efforts.

Returning from the break with only a one-goal deficit to wipe out, Boys’ Town upped the pace and controlled large portions of the half, but a resolute Arnett Gardens defence held firm to thwart any ideas Boys’ Town were contriving to get on even terms with their neighbours.

Frustrated Boys’ Town began to lose some of their fluidity and in minute 67 the Boys’ Town defence gifted Arnett Gardens their second goal with Clennon making the best use of the blunder to put his team two goals to the good.

But the game was not yet over as Boys’ Town continued to be competitive, and with two minutes remaining they reduced the deficit through the effort of second-half substitute Benjamin.

Teams:

Arnett Gardens — Damion Hyatt, Dicoy Williams, Jabeur Johnson, Oneil Thompson, Marcelino Blackburn (Alanzo Adlam 63rd), Dasha Satchell. Marvin Morgan (Jason Moore 90th), Leon Strickland, Renae Lloyd, Andre Clennon (Kemal Malcolm 77th), Kenniel Hyde

Subs not used: Peter Harrison, Andrew Phang, Jamar Martin, Kenarado Smith

Booked: Satchell (5th), Clennon (29th), Lloyd (red card 87th)

Boys’ Town — Leon Goffe, Xavian Virgo, Pierre McPherson, Victor Thompson, Hugh Evans, Garfield Gillespie, Andre Dawson (Trevin Garnett 73rd), Michael Campbell (Daemon Benjamin 46th), Peter Keyes, Raffiek Thomas, Asrick Samuels

Subs not used: Carlos Wright, Williams Richards, Anthony Dawes,

Booked: Evans (47th), Samuels (69th), Virgo (red card 87th)

Referee: Courtney Campbell

Assistant Referees: Garnet Page, Nicholas Anderson

Fourth Official: Odette Hamilton

Match Commissary: Horace Lewis