10 months ago
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Arnett Gardens secured the first of two remaining semifinal spots in the Jamaica Premier League at Sabina Park last night after Fabian Reid’s late goal saw them to a 1-0 win over Portmore United.
Arnett Gardens won the quarterfinal tie 2-1 on aggregate after the first leg ended in a 1-1 draw.
Reid also netted late last week to earn the 1-1 draw and coach Xavier Gilbert said there was no praise high enough for the veteran striker.
“I was a bit worried and concerned after creating so many opportunities and we kept missing the target,” Gilbert said after the game. “But Fabian said ‘coach don’t worry’, one will score. He was also encouraging the players to get the ball inside the box, and he would finish them, and he did that.”
Arnett Gardens started well and had some good openings early on, the best of which came from a Chevaney Willis’ free kick after seven minutes which slammed against the bar and went over.
Portmore dangerous
Portmore came into their own after the 10th minute but Chevaughn Walsh and Alvinus Myers could not make the best of the chances that fell to them.
Although Arnett Gardens continued to have the better of play, Portmore were dangerous on the occasional break.
Walsh should have put Portmore ahead midway the half but Eric Edwards was quick off his line to snuff out the danger, seven minutes before half-time.
Kaheim Dixon had Arnett’s best chance of the half but he fired over the bar from 18 yards after a slick build-up in added time.
It was a more even start to the second half and Martin Davis had a shot that just whistled by the upright for Portmore.
Dixon had another great chance for the ‘Junglists’ in the 58th minute but he fired against the bar, with the goal at his mercy.
Reid then flashed a header on target, which William Benjamin parried away from goal.
At the other end Walsh missed a tantalising Alex Marshall cross after he was left unmarked at the back post in 75th minute. Shai Smith then put another easy opportunity for Portmore wide after he was played through on goal.
However, with the match seemingly heading into extra-time, Arnett Gardens grabbed the all-important goal in injury time when Reid latched on to a low cross from the left and stabbed in from close range.
“I am disappointed with the result. We had ambitions of going further in the competition. So I am very disappointed,” said Portmore coach Philip Williams.
“We made some adjustments from the first game, and we were in the game for a much longer period. But it was a game of fine margins, and unfortunately we did not put away our chances,” Williams added.
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