No sweat for Arnett Gardens
Published:Tuesday | December 5, 2023 | 12:11 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
Arnett Gardens jumped to third in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) standing after a 2-0 win over Vere at the Stadium East field yesterday.
Goals from Rushane Thompson in the 32nd minute and a 72nd-minute strike from Jaheim Thomas pushed the Xavier Gilbert-coached team to 14 points, two more than Portmore, Waterhouse and Humble Lion, and five adrift of leaders Mount Pleasant.
Gilbert said the points were big for his team in the battle to keep pace with the leaders.
“We needed those three points to move up the table. It is really close between second and sixth. So it is good to get the win. It was important to secure the three points,” he said.
“Vere made it a little difficult but we handled ourselves well and got the maximum points.”
Arnett had the better openings at the start and they took the lead when Thompson tapped in a low cross just past the half hour.
Both teams had good chances with Warner Brown coming close for Arnett and Ricardo Dennis wasting Vere’s best chance.
Arnett got their insurance goal in the second half after Vere goalkeeper Roje Williams failed to properly deal with a back pass and Jahiem Thomas slotted home after Brown’s initial effort came back off the bar.
Vere coach Linval Dixon said they started well but lost their discipline.
“Players have to understand that you play in a top league, so your discipline has to be maintained for the entire game. Anytime you slip up, pick the ball out of your net,” he commented.
Vere remain eighth in the table with eight points.