Adrian Frater, News Editor

WESTERN BUREAU:

Montego Bay United Football Club (MBUFC) continue to flourish in the post-Neider Dos Santos era as they clipped Arnett Gardens 1-0 in Sunday night's Red Stripe Premier League football fixture at Catherine Hall Stadium in Montego Bay, notching 10 points from five matches since the Brazilian quit in disgust after the team's inauspicious start to the season.

In a game where both teams appeared more regimental than free-flowing, the Dr Dean Weatherley-coached MBUFC, who had much the better of the exchanges, were rewarded for their effort with a superb strike by second-half substitute Kemiro James.

By virtue of their win, the MBUFC continue their steady climb by moving into mid-table with 13 points, while Arnett, who were challenging for a place in the first end-of-round final, suffered a major setback as they remained stuck on 17 points.

"We made one major defensive blunder, and it basically cost us the game, but that is how football is … . We will rebound," said Arnett's coach Paul 'Tegat' Davis. "It is going to be a long season so we are not worried by this result. We just need to refocus and move on with purpose."

FINDING FOOTING

For MBUFC, who started the season with four defeats and a solitary win, Weatherley thinks the team is now finding its footing and is looking forward to even stronger performances going forward.

"We are still not as clinical as I would like us to be, because we are still wasting easy chances," said Weatherley. "What I like is the fact that the players are now playing according to the game plan and we are now picking up points in most of our games."

After a somewhat uncertain start, MBUFC created good openings in the 15th and 18th minutes, but failed to capitalise. Shawn Beveney was the culprit on both occasions, firing wide after getting close-range looks at goal.

Arnett countered gloriously in the 25th minute when Lamar Nelson broke out of midfield and cracked a savage shot which flew inches wide of the mark.

Thirteen minutes into the second half, MBUFC squandered the easiest of chances when Omar Gordon broke clean on goal, but hesitated and then had the shot blocked by the goalkeeper. The rebound fell kindly for Lesly St Fleur, but his effort cleared the crossbar.

Arnett should have scored in the 60th minute when Jonathan Williams took a neat cross, but his shot struck the crossbar and rebounded into play.

With both teams increasing the tempo of their play and looking good, MBUFC got the game's only goal in the 77th minute. A sweetly taken free kick by St Fleur found James racing in and his powerful header gave goalkeeper Damion Hyatt no chance.