Arnett make a habit of conceding late goals, draw with Harbour View
Published:Sunday | February 6, 2022 | 12:12 AMDaniel Wheeler - Staff Reporter
ARNETT GARDENS have not yet broken their habit of not being able to close out games, much to the frustration of head coach Paul ‘Tegat’ Davis.
They were once again the victims of a last-minute stunner, forcing them to settle for a 1-1 draw with Harbour View in their Jamaica Premier League game yesterday at the UWI-JFF Captain Horace Burrell Centre of Excellence.
Renaldo Cephas managed to get the opener for the ‘Junglists’ in the 75th minute but Oshane Staple snatched victory from their grasp with a 95th-minute header that forced the teams to share the spoils and left Arnett the more frustrated of the two sides.
It is the second time this season that Arnett have conceded a late goal that cost them either a win or a share of the points. In their season opener against defending champions Cavalier, they managed a 96th-minute equaliser which seemed to be enough to earn a point, but would concede a minute later, leaving them with nothing.
It is a trend that Davis says is concerning, considering that they have implored the players to maintain their concentration throughout the game.
“It may be because they think they won the game and they feel like it’s finished. I sensed that lapse was coming. But the game is not finished until the 90 (or in this case) 95 minutes are up,” Davis said.
“It’s something that we have to work on. You have to stay in the game right through until the referee blows the whistle.”
Arnett conceded twice in their 2-2 draw against Humble Lion last week, which left the players frustrated about letting three points slip.
Similar emotions were expressed after the final whistle yesterday, and while Davis is pleased to remain unbeaten, he has emphasised discipline and accountability if they are to become a title-contending team.
“It’s working. It’s just that players have to take responsibility and adapt to what we want. If they do that, they will be more confident that it can happen,” Davis said.
FAR FROM IDEAL
While pleased with the mental fortitude of the players in salvaging the point, it was far from an ideal performance from Harbour View, according to head coach Ludlow Bernard.
He said that their inability to win the one-on-one battles, as well as poor midfield play, played a role in the result.
“I didn’t think we were strong in midfield. I don’t think we were strong in terms of executing what we wanted done out there. We were second best in most instances (in winning duels). That will cost you when you play against teams like Arnett,” Bernard said
“They not only played well today but they were physical. And, with that combination, nothing beats that.”
While steadfast in his youth movement, Bernard acknowledged that more experienced players would have been of benefit in games such as these, and will aim for more balance once key players return from injury.
The first game of the double-header, Tivoli Gardens vs Vere United, was postponed because of health compliance issues and will be rescheduled.