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Arnett Gardens dent Waterhouse’s chance
April 28, 2025
The race for top six in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) took another twist yesterday, after Waterhouse FC lost 2-0 to cross-town rivals Arnett Gardens FC at Drewsland Mini Stadium, to slip from the coveted sixth spot to seventh on goal difference.
However, Tivoli Gardens FC failed to make the most of the slip by the Drewsland-based team, after they gave up a 2-0 lead to end 2-2 with Chapelton Maroons at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex.
Shai Smith (82nd, 89th) bagged a couple of late goals to dampen Waterhouse FC's hopes off a playoff berth, and Arnett's head coach Xavier Gilbert was delighted with his contribution, especially in the absence of the league's leading scorer Warner Brown. Gilbert believes the goals were just reward for Smith, who has been integral to their performance all season.
"Not having Warner was a big miss. But nevertheless we still managed to score two goals. We decided to keep Shai out there and he came up with two goals.
"He is one of those good team players. He always gives his best for the team, and that is what we ask for," Gilbert commented.
Arnett dominated the first half, although they never had many clear-cut chances. Waterhouse were better after the break and had opportunities through Denardo Thomas and Shamari Dallas.
However, it was Smith who broke the deadlock, slamming home a loose ball after the Waterhouse defence failed to clear Kimani Arbouine's cross.
Waterhouse's goalkeeper Akeem Bernard denied the winger a headed goal a few minutes after. But Smith was not to be denied moments later, when he planted a header past Bernard for the second goal.
The win kept Arnett two points adrift of second-place Montego Bay United FC on 73 points, with one round remaining.
Despite falling from sixth spot, Waterhouse's coach Marcel Gayle remains optimistic.
"What is in front of us we can no longer control. It is out of our hands now. We are still in it. So that is still a positive for now. And we know what to do come the next game," he said.
Tivoli and Waterhouse are now tied on 55 points, with Tivoli having the better goal difference.
Meanwhile, Tivoli wasted a great opportunity to go two points clear of Waterhouse, after a Javel Ellis own goal and a Lennox Russell strike put them 2-0 ahead.
But goals from Dustin Cohen and teenager Orel Miller salvaged a point for the Clarendon team, who stayed one point above the relegation zone on 34.
Dunbeholden ensured themselves another season of top-flight football after a 1-0 win over parish rivals Portmore United. Damion Binns scored the only goal, fives minutes into the second half.
Dunbeholden moved to 37 points, four clear of second-from-bottom Humble Lion.
At Effortville, host Humble Lion had their survival hopes damaged, as they gave up a lead through a Stephen Barnett goal. In the end, goals from Nickyle Ellis and Heron Headman gave Racing United a 2-1 win.
MoBay United stopped Cavalier 1-0 on Jourdain Fletcher's goal, while, Harbour View, with a brace from Timar Lewis thumped relegated Vere Phoenix 6-0.
Mount Pleasant sealed their place at the top of the standings, while climbing to the 90-point barrier, after a 3-0 win over Molynes United.
Odean Pennycooke, Daniel Green and Emerson Liasse were the scorers for Mount Pleasant, who now have 90 points, 15 clear of second-place MoBay United.
