Waite hails GK Harrison, Morgan

Coach of Arnett Gardens FC, Jerome Waite, has heaped praise on goalkeeper Mikhail Harrison and captain Marvin Morgan, following his team's 1-0 win over archrivals Tivoli Gardens in the Red Stripe Premier League at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex on Monday night.

Arnett handed Tivoli their first defeat of the season and both teams are now tied on nine points at the top of the standings after four rounds. Arnett, with six goals for and three against, are marginally ahead on goals scored ahead of Tivoli (five for and two against).

Waite said they could not have achieved the result without the vital contributions of Harrison and Morgan who slammed home the winner from inside the six-yard box.

"It was a high tempo game, both teams showed a lot of intensity and good tactical football and it was very physical as well," he said.

"There were few chances in the game but we should have converted another but we were denied by good goalkeeping from the Tivoli custodian," he added.

"In the latter part of the game the (Tivoli) substitutes stepped it up and they were awarded a penalty but Harrison came up big for us. When it comes to these big derby games you expect your team to rise to the occasion and our goalkeeper did that," Waite said.

Meanwhile, Waite who turned up for the game dapperly dressed in a three-piece suit, said, this is the highest level we play locally and that he was just looking to raise the bar with the hope that others will follow.

However, he admitted that he will save that attire mainly for special matches.

"They have to understand that this is the next level. This (RSPL) is the highest level we play in our country and I believe the coaches can step up. For the Monday night live games we can look official. This (suit) was definitely for Monday night, but for a regular 'sun hot' game you wouldn't see it."

Waite was also pleased to be back among the front-runners in the league.

"Arnett Gardens have set the pace early for the last three seasons, so it's nothing new, but we need to start finishing well because at all times that will make the difference," he added.