Arnett Gardens and Molynes United battled to a 1-1 draw in their Jamaica Premier League match as the six-round set of games came to an end at the UWI-JFF Horace Captain Burrell Centre of Excellence.
It was a result that stymied both teams’ chances of making the top six playoffs but there is hope sitting just four and five points adrift with a game in hand.
Arnett Gardens are ninth on four points while Molynes United is just behind in 10th spot on three points.
Mount Pleasant is in the last playoff spot sitting in the sixth position on eight points.
An own goal by Ackeem Stewart in the 20th minute gave Arnett Gardens the lead.
But truth be told, that goal could also be credited to Hardley Barnes who latched onto a through ball and his effort went by the onrushing goalkeeper Leon Taylor and hit the recovering defender Stewart on its way in.
In the 67th minute, Nicholas Nelson grabbed the equalizing goal for Molynes United reacting well, and substitute goalkeeper Shaquan Davis failed to gather a low cross from substitute Kemar Reid.
Arnett Gardens created the better chances or half chances but they failed to capitalize as Barnes and company could just get on the crosses in the box.
Arnett Gardens lost two players to injury as top defender Ezran Simpson limped off with an ankle injury in the 34th minute. But it was the injury of National goalkeeper Amal Knight that would cause more concern.
He seemed to have reinjured a finger that was broken before and his absence in the 63rdminute saw Molynes benefitting from substitute goalkeeper Shaquan Davis' error.
Arnett Gardens’ assistant coach Lamar Brown highlighted the two key players that got injured as the factor that denied them victory.
“We should have won the game but nevertheless we are back again on the training field and prepare for the next game to get three points and score some goals,” said Brown.
Molynes’ assistant coach Andre Daley was just as disappointed with the result as they are the only team yet to taste victory in the league.
“We are very disappointed with the result but nevertheless it’s a point and we just work and look forward to the next game,” said Daley.
Daley also took a swipe at the officiating insisting that the official need to look back at the tape and learn from it.
Man-of-the-Match: Nicholas Nelson (Molynes United)
Molynes United: 40-Leon Taylor, 04-Ackeem Stewart, 14-Sergini Frankson, 17-Damion Thomas, 21-Kemar Seivwright, 22-Jevaughn Brown, 31-Fabiki Farquharson (50-Rashawn Livingston 86th), 12-Akeem Brown (20-Kemar Reid 60th), 15-Tyrese Wynter, 16-Marvin Emmanuel (07-Jermy Nelson, 60th), 10-Nicholas Nelson.
Subs not used: 45-Malicka Cocking, 05-Keith Wright, 25-Orane Ferguson, 36-Ricardo Phipps, 11-Dawyne Smith, 27-Dillon McEnnis.
Coach: Anthony Patrick
Booked: Akeem Brown 12th
Arnett Gardens: 55-Amal Knight (40-Shaquan Davis 63rd), 03-Oshane Roberts, 04-Ezran Simpson Jnr (02-Oneil Anderson 34th), 08-Marlon Martin, 16-Romeo Guthrie (22-Kemoy Slowley, 90+1), 19-Luca Kung (15-Nathan Thomas 70th), 05-Jonoy Cunningham, 06-Earl Simpson, 07-Renaldo Cephas, 27-Steve Clarke, 09-Hardley Barnes (18-Shadane Lopez 70th).
Subs not used: 11-Shemar Boothe, 28-Dashawn Bernard, 23-Rayahno Thompson, 02-Oneil Anderson, 16-Rushike Kelson.
Coach: Alex Thomas
Booked: Renaldo Cephas 37th, Oneil Anderson 56th, Jonoy Cunningham 87th
Referee: Kevin Morrison
Assistant Referee 1: Richard Washington
Assistant Referee 2: Jermaine Yee Singh
Fourth Official: Doyen Tummings
Match Commissioner: Martin Lyn
For more information contact JPL @ jplcomms@gmail.com