Quickfire Fletcher double sinks Arnett

Try as they might, Arnett Gardens simply could not handle the impact of Waterhouse’s Andre Fletcher.

The 22-year-old midfielder, who came on as a second-half substitute, scored twice in the space of four minutes to power Waterhouse to a 4-1 win in their Jamaica Premier League (JPL) football fixture at the UWI-JFF Captain Horace Burrell Centre of Excellence yesterday.

While Waterhouse started the slower of the teams, they managed to take the lead inside 20 minutes, thanks to Shaqueil Bradford, before Arnett got the equaliser from the penalty spot from Renaldo Cephas. Damion Binns managed to restored Waterhouse’s lead before the half-time break.

While Arnett managed to get to half-time with a one-goal deficit, Fletcher’s introduction at the start of the second half changed the course of the game. He made an impact in the Waterhouse attack and only needed six minutes on the field to slot home his fourth goal of the season. He would add his fifth minutes later from the penalty spot, to effectively put the game beyond Arnett.

Fletcher has now scored in back-to-back games and says that he is pleased that his consistent hard work is being rewarded. He is now joint second in the golden boot race in the league on five, along with Humble Lion’s Andrew Vanzie. They are both one behind Harbour View’s Oquassa Chong, who has scored six goals with one game remaining.

“I have been putting in a whole lot of work on and off the field. I came out today (to perform) and this was just expected from me,” Fletcher said after the game.

Assistant coach Damion Gordon has outlined his importance to the team and says that whether as a starter or as an impact sub, his consistency will allow him to get regular minutes and be a force for the team.

TALENTED PLAYER

“Overall Andre Fletcher is a very talented player, but he is also a very team (oriented) player, so today it was just his reward. Last game he came on and scored and today was no different. His effort was relentless. He is always contributing to the team, so (he got his) just rewards today,” Gordon said.

“We don’t limit players in terms of substitutes or starters. But he is being rewarded for his hard work.”

Arnett Gardens had good spells in the opening 15 minutes and Cephas had a chance for an early goal that was not taken. It was a chance that head coach Alex Thomas says could have changed the course of the game. While not out of the play-off race yet, Thomas says that they have to pick themselves up quickly.

“Second half we came out flat. I think it was a lack of concentration. We weren’t focused but nevertheless we have two more games to go and we have to see how far we can reach (in the table),” Thomas said.

With the defeat, Arnett Gardens remain in ninth place with seven points, six points from the top six. Waterhouse’s win takes them to third place with 13 points.

daniel.wheeler@gleanerjm.com

Waterhouse: Zemioy Nash, Kymani Campbell, Damion Binns, Elvis Wilson (Duvaughn Dunkley 80th), Nicholy Finlayson (c), Ramone Howell, Rohan Beadle, Shaqueil Bradford (Andre Fletcher 46th), Denardo Thomas, Colorado Murray, Rafiek Thomas (Shevon Stewart 62nd), (Ricardo Thomas 83rd)

Arnett Gardens: Shaquan Davis, Ezran Simpson (Steve Clarke 62nd), Oshane Roberts, Kemoy Slowley, Marlon Martin, Donovan Segree, Romeo Guthrie (c), Damari Deacon (Shadane Lopez 62nd), Ronaldo Cephas (Nathan Thomas 78th), Jonoy Cunningham

Referee: Daneon Parchment

Assistants: Nicholas Anderson, Rolonzo Bennett

Fourth Official: Carvel Banton