Warner Brown lifts Arnett with brace

Forward Warner Brown scored twice yesterday as Arnett Gardens registered their second win of the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) season.

Brown netted in the ninth and 47th minutes and set up Kimani Arbouine (22nd) in between as Arnett ran out 3-0 winners over Molynes United at Sabina Park.

The former St Andrew Technical star admitted that he was disappointed not to get the hat-trick but noted that he and his team are growing in confidence.

“I am really disappointed (not to score hat-trick) because the team is counting on me to get the goals and to step up this season. And, of course, my ambition is to always be a contender for the leading goal scorer. But it’s a really good feeling. The guys are more confident, and I am more confident in myself,” he said.

Arnett’s only win of the season, before yesterday’s match, was a 3-0 win over Dunbeholden on match day one in which Brown also netted a double, and the Arnett front man said he felt good ahead of yesterday’s match.

“We were making some good combination plays in the training sessions before the game, so I expected to get at least a hat-trick.”

Arnett Gardens got off the mark very early when Brown broke behind the Molynes defence and slotted past Carlos Robinson in goal after nine minutes.

The striker then got a couple of chances to increase his team’s lead but failed to take advantage. However, in the 22nd minute, he played across the goal for Arbouine to stab home from six yards.

Mickel Graham had the best opportunity to pull a goal back for Molynes in the first half, but he hesitated after getting by goalkeeper Richardo Whyte, and the chance went a begging.

Nevertheless, two minutes into the second half, Arnett added their third when Brown beat Robinson with a header from Rushike Kelson’s corner.

“First half we were poor, sloppy,” Molynes coach Jermaine Thomas stated. “We kept turning over the ball. We gave Arnett a lot of space, which they capitalised on.

“But second half, we were much more organised, much more settled, and created one or two chances. We got some good looks, but we never converted.”

Arnett’s assistant coach, Fabian Taylor, said it was good to see their forwards getting among the goals, especially Brown, who is now tied with Arbouine on four goals as the club’s leading scorers.

“It was very satisfying. The boys knew the task at hand. We wanted to come out and give a good showing, and they did that today.

“It was also good to see our forwards scoring goals. He (Brown) is a tough nut to crack, but what we ask is for these boys to believe and listen to what we are saying and add to what they have already. And he is listening, and it is showing now,” he said.

Arnett climbed to fifth in the standings with eight points from five games. Molynes are 12th with three points from five games.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com

Yesterday’s results

Vere-Phoenix 3-0 Dunbeholden

Portmore 2-1 Chapelton

Humble Lion 0-0 Montego Bay

Today’s games

5 p.m: Tivoli Gardens vs Racing United

7:30 p.m: Waterhouse vs Harbour View

Both games will be played at the Waterhouse Mini Stadium