Win lifts Arnett from relegation

Anthony Minott, Gleaner Writer

Arnett Gardens removed themselves from the relegation zone with a 1-0 victory over fellow relegation-troubled Portmore United in their rescheduled Digicel Premier League football match at Ferdie Neita Park yesterday.

It was the Junglists second straight victory in four days. The win pushed Arnett from the bottom of the 12-team standings to 10th with 29 points, while Portmore slipped to last-place on 27 points, one ahead of Humble Lions.

Arnett's goal came in the 54th minute when towering forward Newton Sterling scored from point-blank range, benefiting from Kevin 'Pele' Wilson's pass from the left flank.

Sterling also netted the Junglists goal in their 1-0 win against Rivoli United at Spanish Town Prison Oval on Sunday.

Arnett's coach, Wayne Fairclough, was pleased with the win.

"The (Arnett) community is elated (with the win) and we, the players and coaches, are also elated, it is a morale-boosting victory for us," he said. "We defended stoutly, Portmore also defended well, but we came away with the lone goal by Newton Sterling."

Portmore's coach, Neville 'Bertis' Bell, bemoaned his team's woeful shooting.

"For the last 25 minutes of the game, we camped out in the Arnett half, we just did not get the goal," Bell lamented.

"I thought it was a pretty good game, for two teams at the bottom of the standings. Arnett wanted the win, we wanted the win, congrats to Arnett," he said.