Humble Lion, Arnett feel hard done by officiating as points split
Published:Wednesday | February 2, 2022 | 12:09 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
NEITHER ARNETT Gardens nor Humble Lion were impressed with the officiating in their Jamaica Premier League encounter yesterday.
But both teams had to settle for a share of the spoils as they drew 2-2 at the UWI-JFF Captain Horace Burrell Centre of Excellence.
Arnett had the lead twice thanks to a double from Fabian Reid in the third and 45th minutes in his first start of the season. However, Humble Lion equalised twice through Shamari Dallas in the 10th minute and Javain Thompson in the 60th minute, leaving Humble Lion winless so far this season and Arnett wondering how they let their advantage slip.
The officiating concerns came from both ends as Humble Lion head coach questioned a penalty call just before half-time, which led to Reid retaking the lead.
“I thought it was a harsh call. As a matter of fact, I don’t think it was even in the box. But be that as it may, the referee made a decision. We went behind and we found a way to claw ourselves back into the game,” said Humble Lion coach Andrew Price.
“And with a bit of luck, we probably could have gotten all three points.”
RHYTHM DISRUPTED
Arnett assistant coach Eric Rademakers said the physical nature of the contest, as well as some questionable calls, disrupted their rhythm. However, he still lamented losing two points in the manner they did.
“There were a lot of moments where the flow of the game stopped. I think there were a few calls made by the referee that added to the chaotic game that we eventually had. But it is what it is and we couldn’t put the last one in the net,” Rademakers said.
It was fortune that gifted Humble Lion their equaliser, as Arnett goalkeeper William Price mishandled a routine save which allowed Thompson to bundle the ball into the net. Reid said that it was important for the team to rally behind the goalkeeper after the error.
“We feel a little down, but we have to cheer him up same way. Because if we are going bash our teammate, then it is going to break him down and we don’t want it to break him down,” said Reid.
“Even though he was wrong, we have to try and build him (up). Because he is the backbone of our team.”
Despite still being winless, Price believes that when compared to the 2021 truncated season when Humble Lion could not recover from their poor start, the team is much better equipped for an improved showing.
“Last season we only had two weeks of training before the start (of the campaign), some teams were training weeks before. I believe that now we are starting on an even keel and we are slowly working back to getting our optimal shape,” Price said.
“And as the season progresses, I expect us to get stronger.”