Arnett snap winless run to return to JPL summit
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Arnett Gardens snapped a three-game winless run as they beat last placed Chapleton Maroons 3-0 at Jamaica College on Sunday to return to the top of the table with 42 points.
After being held 0-0 in the first half, Arnett Gardens scored three in the second half despite being reduced to 10 men late.
Cavalier FC are second on 40 points after edging Tivoli Gardens 1-0 while there were wins for Portmore United over Harbour View and Humble Lion over Vere United.
Five red cards were issued on Sunday with Vere United finishing their game with nine players after they had two men sent off.
Fabian Reid finally broke through for Arnett Gardens when he gave them the lead in the 46th minute but they had to wait until the 88th minute to secure all three points when Rushike Kelson added a second before Marlon Allen added a third in time added on after Demarie Deacon was sent off after getting a second yellow card.
Despite being down to ten players, Cavalier grabbed a dramatic late winner when Dwayne Atkinson scored three minutes into stoppage time to sentence Tivoli to back-to-back losses and extend their winless run to eight games. Adrian Reid was sent off in the 85th minute.
Humble Lion won back-to-back games, blanking Vere United 2-0 in their Clarendon derby at Effortville with goals from Levaughn Williams in the sixth minute and Javon Smith in time added on at the end of the second half.
Portmore United inched up to sixth place with their third straight win, edging defending champions Harbour View 1-0. Alex Marshall’s 24th minute goal made the difference as Portmore United moved to 31 points from 20 games.
Harbour View are still in fourth place on 36 points, ahead of Humble Lion on goal difference.
Meanwhile, Ricardo Thomas converted two first half penalty kicks to help Dunbeholden get by Molynes United 3-2. Thomas scored in the 28th and 42nd minutes as Molynes were reduced to 10 men just before half time when Jonoy Cunningham was sent off.
Jason Wright pulled one back for Molynes when he scored from the penalty spot in the 65th minute but Peter McGregor scored his first goal of the season in the 79th minute as Dunbeholden restored their two-goal lead.
Nicholas Nelson extended his scoring run in the 89th minute when he scored Molynes’ second goal to cut the deficit to one again.
-Paul A Reid