Russell scores again as Arnett whip Jamalco in Red Stripe Premier League

Arnett Gardens FC continued their impressive home record with a 3-0 win against newcomers Jamalco FC in the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL), at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex yesterday.

Lennox Russell opened the scoring for the home team in the 15th minute, while Fabian Reid (30th) and substitute Marvin Morgan Jr (89th) netted the other goals.

It was a fourth home win for Arnett, three of which have come in the Jungle, as the venue was banned for the first two home games of the season. Hence, Arnett played those games at Barbican.

Arnett pushed to 13 points, while Jamalco remained on 10 points in the 12-team league.

Russell, who was scoring his third goal in three consecutive games, says hard work is paying dividends.

"It is just non-stop hard work that I have been putting in during training that is now paying off," Russell, who was replaced in the closing moments of the game, told The Gleaner.

"I am looking to score about 15 or more goals for the season. Some senior players are not yet back with the team, so I have to continue working to remain in the starting team," the 22-year-old former Charlie Smith High Manning Cup star reasoned.

"I know that Arnett have a lot of talent in the squad, so I have grabbed my chance with both hands. The aim is to be more clinical in front of goal as I have missed a lot of chances," said Russell, who is Arnett's leading marksman this season

GOOD PLAY

"We are playing good, especially at home. We lost two games on the road that we could have won, but for lack of finishing.

"The team did great today in scoring three goals without giving up any goal. We just have to continue working match by match in order to win the title again," Russell pointed out.

Arnett's veteran coach Jerome 'Jerry' Waite described Russell as a good talent.

"Russell has scored in three consecutive games. He is pretty much talented, but needs to improve in some areas of his play," Waite said about the player he also coached at Charlie Smith.

With regards to the game, Waite was satisfied with the result.

"We played in spurts, but it was good to score three goals without conceding any. We will get better as the season progresses," Waite said.

Jamalco's coach Rayon Johnson said his team needs to start strong.

"In the last three games, we started flat, so we need more intensity. We had hoped to give Arnett a better fight, but it did not happen. We got chances, but failed to capitalise," Johnson said.

Meanwhile, the Boys' Town vs Tivoli Gardens game was not played because of a waterlogged surface at the Barbican Complex.

Yesterday's Results

Reno 1 Maverley-Hughenden 1

Arnett Gardens 3 Jamalco 0

MoBay United 2 Waterhouse 1

Humble Lion 0 UWI FC 1

Harbour View 1 Portmore 2