Labouring Arnett Gardens dropped two more valuable points in their race back to the top of the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) points standing after Boys’ Town held them to a 1-1 draw in a rescheduled game at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex on Monday night.

A goal down in the opening minute of the second half from a Peter Keys strike, Arnett Gardens equalised eight minutes later from a thumping header by defender Dicoy Williams after meeting a cross from Marcelino Blackburn flush on, that thundered past Leon Goffe in goal for Boys’ Town. But though the defending champions pressed for the winning goal thereafter, it never came.

Champions Arnett Gardens remained third spot on 51 points, three behind second-placed Portmore United and four adrift of leaders Montego Bay United. Both Arnett and Montego Bay United have a game in hand.

Meanwhile, Boys’ Town’s hopes of sneaking into the semi-final play-off receieved a setback and they remained in seventh spot on 35 points, four adrift of fourth-placed Harbour View on 39 points.

So fiercely competitive are these games, the innocent bystander would not resolve that these teams are poles apart in the competition with Arnett Gardens fighting to retain championship honours with Boys’ Town just moving away from the relegation strugglers and are seven points above the dreaded drop zone.

It was the third meeting between the teams for the season, and with Monday night’s drawn game the teams are even, with Arnett Gardens winning the first game 4-0 at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex, then losing the second round match 0-1 at the Barbican playfield.

Following a tough three-match campaign overseas in the Caribbean Football Union Club Championship, Arnett Gardens returned to the country and were immediately called into action in the RSPL to honour pending local fixtures. In their first game, they looked jaded and were beaten 1-0 by a struggling, relegation-stationed Waterhouse FC.

For the Trench Town Derby with Boys’ Town, Arnett Gardens rested a number of their top players in Oneil Thompson, Vishinul Harris, Kemal Malcolm, Ranike Anderson, Kenneil Hyde, Michealos Martin, Leon Strickland, and the injured goalkeeper Damian Hyatt. But they looked more coordinated than on last, and could have won on the night, especially in the closing stages when the Boys’ Town goalkeeper blocked a thunderblast of a free kick by Marcelino Blackburn from the edge of the area that saved the day for Boys’ Town. Even so, the same could be said of Boys’ Town, who had their moments that forced Arnett Gardens to dig deep through goalkeeper Peter Harrison and his defenders to keep the visitors from taking the lead.

Teams: Arnett Gardens FC – Peter Harrison, Dicoy Williams, Jamar Martin, Jabeur Johnson, Jason Moore, Renae Lloyd, Marvin Morgan. Andrew Phang (Kenniel Hyde 76th), Steve Clarke (Lennox Russell 82nd), Marcelino Blackburn, Newton Sterling (Michaelos Matin 76th)

Subs not used: Ranike Anderson, Lamard Neil, Neicko Williams, Gary McIntosh

Booked: Clarke (45th)

Boys’ Town FC – Leon Goffe, Kimarley Fray, Wayne Ellis, Daemion Benjamin, Xavian Virgo, Garfield Gillespie, Lennox Cargill, Adrian King (Tevin Shaw 67th), Michael Campbell, Peter Keys (Tevin Garnett 77th), Rafiek Thomas.

Subs not used: Kirk Porter, Pierre McPherson, Rupert Murray, Chavanney Willis, Mitchly Waul

Booked: Fray (44th), Benjamin (52nd)

Referee: Karl Tyrell

Assistant Referees: Garnet Page, Damian Williams

Fourth Official: Gawayne Scott

Match Commissioner: Ewan Scott