ARNETT Gardens FC Head Coach Jerome Waite was impressed with his team’s defending after their 2-0 win over Cavalier SC in the bruising Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) encounter at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex on Sunday.

Defender Dicoy Williams gave the defending champions the lead in the 38th minute before Vishinul Harris doubled the advantage with a blistering strike in the 60th minute.

The win lifts third-placed Arnett to 23 points from 13 matches, while ninth-placed Cavalier have 13 points.

“The main objective was to win and we did that. It was a physical game and both teams came out with a purpose. One of the good things for us is we defended stoutly. The win ensures we stay closer to the leaders, and that is exactly what we are trying to do,” Waite told the Jamaica Observer after the game.

Rudolph Speid, the man in charge of visitors Cavalier, said the heavy grass on some sections of the football field made it difficult for his team to play the way they wanted to.

“The grass is so high it’s like a cow pasture,” Speid said as he cast his eyes over the playing area.

“I’m really disappointed because we are a passing team, so it was difficult for us to play our natural game.”

He also argued that the officiating was a let-down.

“I believe we should have received a penalty call in first half. Then in the second half it was a brawl because of players involved in some incidents. It’s always very difficult to get good football when the game is not controlled,” said Speid.

Williams turned into the net from a free kick to separate the teams with seven minutes remaining in the first half.

However, Cavalier always remained spirited and caused the Arnett Gardens defence concern on a few occasions.

Just after the break, Harris missed the chance to stretch the lead.

The midfielder, who was neatly set free by Marcelino Blackburn, saw his close-range shot blocked by Cavalier’s goalkeeper Carlloyd Walters.

Fifteen minutes into the second half Harris made amends. And it was done in emphatic fashion as he nailed a 25-yard, right-footed shot low into the corner of the goal to the right of Walters. It was as cleanly struck as he could ever hope for.

But the game, for a while teetering on an edge due to a series of hard challenges from both teams, soon had a short disruption after a nasty clash between Cavalier’s Jeffrey Grant and Blackburn.

The wiry Blackburn went unpunished after striking Grant in the face in an off-the-ball incident apparently not seen by the referee or the assistants. Indications were that the two had exchanges prior to that. Coach Waite reacted to the last exchange by immediately substituting Blackburn, but by then Grant had returned to his feet and had to be physically restrained on the sidelines as he ran over to the Arnett bench, gesticulating and shouting at Blackburn.

Teams:

Arnett Gardens — Damian Hyatt, Oneil Thompson (Jamar Martin 77th), Dicoy Williams, Jabeur Johnson, Andrew Phang (Newton Sterling 65th), Jahmeel Thompson, Jason Moore, Vishinul Harris, Kemal Malcolm, Leon Strickland, Marcelino Blackburn (Neicko Williams 88th).

Subs not used: Peter Harrison, Jarmar Jackson, Lennox Russell, Andre Moulton

Booked: Strickland (36th), Moore (87th)

Cavalier — Carlloyd Walters, Shawn Lawes, Donovan Alveranga, Jeffrey Grant, Al Nesbeth (Dellano Anderson 62nd), Chevone Marsh, Norman Bailey (Nicholas Hamilton 62nd), Ryan Miller, Oshane Jenkins, Jason Watson, Dwayne Smith (David Newman 84th).

Subs not used: Joel Johnson, Akeem Christie, Akino Saddler, Shamar Dillon

Booked: Watson (15th), Bailey (36th)

Referee: Oshane Nation

Assistant Referees: Dwayne Page, Oyinco McTaggart

Fourth Official: Odette Hamilton

Match Commissary: Raymond Anderson

— Sanjay Myers