Atkinson stars as Cavalier blank Arnett
Published:Monday | January 8, 2024 | 12:11 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
Dwayne Atkinson marked his return to the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) with a goal and an assist for Cavalier who continued their upward trek on the JPL table after a comprehensive 3-0 win over 10-man Arnett Gardens at Sabina Park yesterday.
Atkinson put Cavalier 2-0 up after 21 minutes after assisting Kyle Ming with the opener from a corner in the 10th minute.
Arnett went down a man when Roshawn Amos was ejected in the 79th minute.
Shaniel Thomas then sealed the win deep into added time with Cavalier’s third.
Although pleased to get a goal and an assist, Atkinson said he expected more and will be looking for even better displays going forward.
“It was great for me, knowing that it is my debut back in Jamaica for Cavalier, and getting a goal and an assist was great for me and my team as well.
“For me, my performance was not high enough. Even though I haven’t had any football for three months, I could have done much better.
“But I am trying to build back my fitness and get more goals and assists for my team to help them. So I am looking for some improvements, and the coach is willing to help me, the players, and everyone,” he said.
Cavalier jumped in front when a static Arnett defence allowed Ming to head home Atkinson’s corner from six yards.
Atkinson extended Cavalier’s lead 13 minutes later, slotting home at the near post after some good combination play down the left.
Warner Brown had Arnett’s beat chance, but he kicked straight to Jaedine White in goal from a tight angle in the 45th minute.
FREEKICK
Arnett did most of the attacking in the second half and created some good openings although Cavalier had their chances on the break as well. They came close to pulling a goal back in the 75th minute, but Rushike Kelson’s freekick smacked the post and rebounded into play.
Arnett were then reduced to 10 men in the 79th minute when Amos denied a clear scoring opportunity and saw red.
Thomas then sealed the win when he broke loose inside the box and slotted past goalkeeper Asher Hutchinson.
“Atkinson was the best player in the league before he left for Iceland,” Cavalier coach Rudolph Speid commented.
“It is good that he has just returned and stamped his authority right away. He gave us some more options as we were able to rest Shaniel and Jalmaro (Calvin), who have been carrying the attack from August. So it’s a big help.”
Cavalier have registered four straight wins to climb from eighth to fourth in the table on 24 points, one place above Arnett but only on goal difference.
“We were very uncomfortable when we’re were tenth. We are much more comfortable now. This is where we are accustomed to be, and we hope with our other outstanding game we will be able to climb even further,” Speid added.
Arnett’s coach, Xavier Gilbert, said it was a bad day for his team.
“It was a bad day for us. We didn’t execute as we should have executed. Things that we were supposed to do, players that we were supposed to close down and double up on we didn’t. We just didn’t follow the script,” he said.
In the day’s other game, Harbour View stopped Treasure Beach 2-0 but stayed 11th in the standings with 12 points.
Treasure Beach are second from bottom on seven points.