Portmore grind out victory as Arnett’s woes deepen

The Jamaica Premier League resumed yesterday after a lengthy delay due to the passage of Hurricane Melissa, and that long layoff was evident as Portmore United welcomed Arnett Gardens at the Ferdi Neita Sports Complex.

In a tense yet chance-starved clash, Portmore secured a narrow 1-0 victory over a struggling Arnett Gardens side, with the game’s only goal coming cruelly for the visitors.

The match was decided as early as the fifth minute under bizarre circumstances. Portmore’s usual livewire, Ronaldo Robinson, whipped a threatening, curling left-footed free kick into the heart of the Arnett penalty area and in a moment of devastating misfortune, Arnett defender Joel Jones, attempting to clear, could only direct a powerful header past his own goalkeeper, Anthony Bennett.

Portmore thought they had doubled their lead immediately after the second half kicked off. In the 46th minute, Robinson again found space at the top of the box, forcing a save from Bennett, only for substitute Tarik Ximinies to slot home the rebound. The celebrations were, however, cut short by the assistant referee’s flag for offside.

Arnett’s best chance to salvage a point fell to Roderick Granville in the 61st minute. Breaking free of his marker, he found himself one-on-one with Portmore’s keeper Daniel Russell, but his shot was struck too close to the keeper, who made a comfortable save.

The result leaves Portmore in second place in the standings on 21 points from 10 games, while Arnett Gardens are mired in a slump, having now lost their fifth game in eight outings and are in 12th place on nine points.

Rodolph Austin, the Portmore United coach, credited his troops for holding form for the entire encounter.

“It was a hard game. We took the lead and maintained it throughout. So I think we defended well today. In the attacking third, we didn’t capitalise on some moments, but it’s football. We play to win, and we won, so that’s the most important thing. We have been training really intensely, but training is different from the real thing. I think we stuck together today, and we carried out the objective.”

Arnett’s coach, Phillip Williams, said his team played well but were unfortunate.

“The game was not filled with many chances, as you saw and the goal was off our own player. The team played well in terms of the work we have put in. It’s unfortunate to lose the game the way we did. We’re in a little rut now. The boys are putting in the work. It’s just a matter of time before positive things start going our way.”