Arnett miss opportunity to go top

STRIKES FROM Shaquille Stein and Jalmaro Calvin powered Cavalier to a 2-1 victory over Arnett Gardens at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex yesterday in what turned out to be a thrilling contest between the Jamaica Premier Premier League (JPL) title contenders.

A win for Arnett, who lie second on the JPL table with 27 points, one behind last year’s beaten finalists Mount Pleasant, would have pushed them into a lead, even if slim.

However, with the result going against them, it is Cavalier who charged up the table, leapfrogging Portmore United, who like them now have 22 points. Cavalier are now fifth and are now eight points clear of seventh-place Dunbeholden.

The top six will go into the playoffs for a chance at winning the Premier League.

Cavalier came close to registering the opener in ninth minute as the skilful Kaile Auvray slipped by his marker and smashed his shot against the upright. Arnett Gardens then responded with an attack of their own through Shai Smith, whose curling right-footed shot trickled wide of the mark.

Stein broke the deadlock in the 29th minute, pouncing on a goalkeeping error from Arnett Gardens custodian Roje Williams.

Two minutes before the half-time break the scores were level. Jamone Shepherd obliterated the Cavalier defence with a solo run that ended with a powerful shot.

In the second-half, the end-to-end action diminished but both teams still had opportunities to go ahead.

In the 68th, Warner Brown, on the back of a counterattack, found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Vino Barclett but his rushed effort went wide.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 88th minute the dangerous Calvin was given too much space, and he accepted by lashing a left-footed shot which left goalkeeper Williams clutching thin air.

Rudolph Speid, head coach of Cavalier, said while his team wasn’t back to full fitness, he was happy with the victory.

“I still think that we are tired and not yet back to our best. However, the three points were important as Arnett Gardens are the form team, so we’re satisfied,” he said.

Xavier Gilbert, head coach of Arnett Gardens, believe his team was unfortunate to have walked away without a point.

“I’m proud of how we performed as the game could’ve been different. This is a team that’s in form and in sync and I think we did well. It’s unfortunate that we didn’t get something out of the game,” he said

orane.buchanan@gleanerjm.com