UWI outclass Arnett Gardens 3-0
RYAN Miller notched a double as University of the West Indies FC put in a clinical second-half performance to spank Arnett Gardens 3-0 in Red Stripe Premier League action yesterday.
Miller struck in minutes 68 and 71 in rainy conditions at Mona Bowl, while Anthony Greenland added a third in the 77th.
UWI move to second place with 10 points from five games, while Arnett are fifth with nine.
Miller was elated to lift UWI to their third victory of the season.
“Our aim was to get three points; we lost last week, but at home we wanted the win. I came here and did my best and I got two goals, so I’m happy,” Miller told the Jamaica Observer during a post-game interview.
Arnett Assistant Coach Eugene Williams, standing in for Jerome Waite who is away on national duty, was upset with the second-half capitulation.
“I’m very disappointed that after we played such a good first half, and in the second half we just gave up three goals like that. The score isn’t a true reflection of the game…the concentration just wasn’t there,” Williams said.
Throughout the first half both teams painstakingly toiled on the soggy field, as there was no fluidity and little in the way of goalmouth action at either end.
The second period was a different story, as the two sides upped the tempo.
In one of the brighter moves of the game — which involved a tidy interchange of passes, taking the attack from left to right — Arnett posed a credible threat.
But it ended with striker Kemal Malcolm turning inside his marker and fizzing a left-footer just wide of the far post.
The game decidedly turned UWI’s way in a nine-minute span.
First, Miller’s low and swerving free kick wrong-footed goalkeeper Mikhail Harrison and hit the back of the net.
Before the home team supporters settled down from that celebration, they were on their feet again.
Miller latched onto a through pass from Javoy Belnavis and rifled in a right-footer from close range.
A beautifully executed third goal put the proverbial icing on the cake. Miller was the provider, crossing a ball to the edge of Arnett Gardens’ six-yard box for Greenland to meet with an acrobatic, scissor-like left-footer.
That three-goal blitz knocked the stuffing out of the visitors, with victory catapulting UWI up the league standing.
Teams: UWI — George Brown, Taniel McKenzie, Deno Schaffe, Javoy Belnavis, Kemar Flemmings, Kemoy Atkinson, Rochane Smith, Ryan Miller (Jerondy Henry 88th), Akeem Thenstead (Patrick Brown 69th), Dawyne Smith (Davion Garrison 61st), Anthony Greenland
Subs not used: Michael Heaven, Deighton Stuart, Jabari Wallace, Dravian Williams
Booked: Smith (66th), Miller (72nd).
Arnett Gardens — Mikhail Harrison, Ramone McGregor, Jabeur Johnson, Ranike Anderson, Kemar Phillpotts, Rickardo Oldham, Marvin Morgan, Lamar Nelson (Zhelano Barnes 72nd), Lennox Russell, Javoni Simms (Kimani Arbouine 73rd), Kemal Malcolm (Steve Clarke 75th)
Subs not used: Lloyd Tyme, Jamar Martin, Ronaldo Wright, Tamar Edwards.
Booked: Johnson (11th)
Referee: Leon Brown
Assistant referees: Nicholas Anderson, Ojay Duhaney
Fourth official: Andre Farquharson
Match commissary: Anthony Cooke
Yesterday’s results
Reno 0, Portmore 2
UWI 3, Arnett Gardens 0
Tivoli Gardens 0, Mount Pleasant 1
Montego Bay 1, Humble Lion 1
Dunbeholden 0, Harbour View 1