Arnett Gardens tag Harbour View 1-0

Arnett Gardens avenged last season's Jamaica Premier League (JPL) semifinal defeat to Harbour View by winning the Monday night feature match at the Ashenheim Stadium 1-0.

New signee Shai Smith netted the game's only goal after 69 minutes and coach Paul 'Tegat' Davis said after two matches without a win, they were the hungrier for the three points.

"Both teams played good attacking football but we wanted it more. We lost against Dunbeholden and drew with Faulkland, so we needed this win, but these guys (Harbour View) knocked us out in the (JPL) semifinals (last season) and that motivated the guys to come out and play football," Davis commented.

Harbour View was the better of the teams in the first half with Jahshaun Anglin, Timar Lewis and Ajeani Talbott all getting good chances to put the titleholders in front. They, however, failed to take advantage as the teams went into the break goalless.

After the interval, Arnett came into their own and had some threatening moves, and in the 69th minute, Smith latched on to a pass from Fabian Reid, cut inside his marker and fired inside goalkeeper Anthony Bennett's near post for the winner.

Harbour View coach Ludlow Bernard was left fuming after another disappointing night in front of goal, which has left them winning only one of their last six matches while scoring only two goals during that run.

"We are not supposed to lose this game. We had more than enough chances to finish off this game and just because of fooling around," he lamented.

He added that there will be drastic changes going forward.

"The same problem that haunted us last season when we had to make multiple changes to solve it, it looks like I will have to do the same thing again.

"We need goals. We can't be creating so many and Arnett not creating anything at all but yet still are able to convert one. I am very disgusted about it. Definitely will be ringing in the changes," he told STAR Sports.

Meanwhile, in the other match at the venue, Cavalier defeated Molynes United 2-0 through goals from Shaniel Thomas in the 51st minute and Collin Anderson in the 79th.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com