Marshall aims for Golden Boot

Cavalier's creative midfielder Alex Marshall produced a mature display and entertained spectators as his team ended 2-2 with Arnett Gardens in the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) at Stadium East yesterday.

Cavalier went into a 2-0 lead, courtesy of a header by central defender Kamoy Simpson in the 24th minute and a well-placed shot from Marshall in the 34th minute. However, defending champions Arnett fought back with goals by Vishinul Harris (45th) and Fabian Reid (60th) to earn a point.

Marshall demonstrated that he was settled in his debut season in the league, and used his skill well. He brought the house down when he easily dismissed Arnett's captain and central defender, Oneil 'Bigga' Thompson, and relayed a pass to Nicholas Hamilton, but the latter kicked straight into the arms of Arnett's substitute goalkeeper, Shamarley Clayton.

" I am a bit disappointed because we gave up two easy goals - one in time added in the first half, and the other one was a silly mistake. But we are happy not to lose; we got a point from the game," Marshall, a former St George's College schoolboy star, said.

NOT AFRAID

"Today I showed my talent. I was not afraid. I had a lot of confidence knowing that I was playing against one of the best teams in the league. I am pleased with my performance," he told The Gleaner.

"My aim is to score 20 goals and challenge for the leading goalscorer award," Marshall, who is on three goals, added.

Cavalier's head coach Rudolph Speid described the game as "very exciting" for the fans.

"I am very disappointed because the truth is we just should not have conceded those goals. We got some chances, but they are the champions, so I did not expect them to just lay down," Speid said.

"I think that the fans got what they wanted to see. It was a very exciting game. It was a fair result," he reasoned.

Jerome 'Jerry' Waite, Arnett's veteran coach also said both teams deserved something from the game.

"The first half, we created two opportunities and should have put away one. Cavalier played with a purpose. We had a half-time team talk, and our game lifted in the second half. We created more chances than Cavalier to kill off the game. In the end, a 2-2 draw is a fair result," Waite said.

Arnett maintained top position in the 12-team league on 23 points, while Cavalier inched to 16 points.