Paul A. Reid, Staff ReporterWESTERN BUREAU: FORMER THREE-time champions Reno made a good start to the new Wray and Nephew National Premier League (NPL) season yesterday after edging Arnett Gardens 1-0 in their rescheduled game played at the Frome.
Ian Palmer hit a rocket of a shot past goalkeeper Julian McLeish in the 40th minute to give the home team all three points in a game that was played under wet and heavy conditions as large puddles of water prevented the free flow of the ball.
The game was scheduled as part of Sunday's opening round but was postponed due to a waterlogged field caused by heavy showers.
Despite the conditions, teams created numerous chances in a fast-moving game. Boysie Nicholson, coach of the Reno team which struggled last year to stay in the league, was pleased with his team's performance but told The Gleaner he thought it could have done better, especially in the midfield.
"The team didn't play as well as we wanted them to do today but three points is good enough," Nicholson said.
MISS CHANCES
"I think we created a lot of chances but did not put them away but we have to give credit to Arnett Gardens as I think they played well but we were much stronger in defence and denied them," he said.
His counterpart, Jerome Waite, was understandably disappointed in his team's loss but said there was no panic as it was a long season and it was just the first game.
Waite said: "(Reno) looked the more purposeful team even though we created a lot of chances but failed to capitalise. Reno showed more urgency and while the goal came from a good attacking play we lapsed in defence as we failed to cover the player who created the goal".
Waite, who kept national players Keith Kelly, Gerald Neil and Cornel Chin-Sue out of the starting line-up but introduced them in the second half, said they have a deep squad and will continue to try and find the right chemistry.
