Howard Walker, Staff Reporter
SHELTON
WHEN NATIONAL striker Luton Shelton scored in the 62nd minute to propel Harbour View to a 1-0 win over Arnett Gardens in the feature Wray and Nephew National Premier League, it was for Peter Cargill.
Shelton raced away to the touchline and immediately held unto the black armband on his left arm making a gesture for Cargill, the former Harbour View and national player and coach.
"It was for Cargill," he told The Gleaner after the game.
But while Shelton was able to use his fingers to celebrate, Marlon Benbow of Arnett Gardens could not. The young defender suffered a terrible accident on the field in which his finger was badly broken and was protruding through his palm.
FINGER TREATED
Patrick Roberts, president of Arnett Gardens, said the player was taken to hospital where his finger was "pinned back and stitched," and he will going back to doctor tomorrow.
Benbow had just forced his way into the Arnett line-up and was cementing his place and this injury will be a major setback just like Arnett's chances of making the semi-finals.
The 'Junglists' suffered a severe blow after they lost 1-0 to Harbour View in an exciting encounter at the National Stadium in a game they had to win.
Arnett Gardens started the day in fifth position, only four points behind the fourth-placed team Harbour View and a win would really have put some pressure on the 'Stars of the East'.
But instead, all the top four teams won and the gap from fifth to fourth is now seven points and they have a game in hand over Arnett Gardens.
Arnett Gardens remain on 43 points, Harbour View are on 50, Tivoli Gardens 51, Waterhouse 53 and leaders Portmore United on 55.
Michael Tulloch, coach of Arnett Gardens, was a disappointed man after seeing the team closest to him gaining three valuable points at his club's expense, but remains optimistic that they can reach the semi-finals.
"All is not lost. We will just have to work harder and win the remaining eight games. It's nor over yet," he said.
But he was critical of his defenders whom he blamed for allowing Shelton too much space and time. "We didn't track Shelton properly and he is a good forward and when you give them opportunity like that they will score."
AGGRESSIVE WIN
Meanwhile, winning coach, Donovan Hayles, said his team was very aggressive and took the fight to Arnett that paid off. "When you are playing these teams you have to be aggressive. Not in the sense of being dirty but to pressure them."
Hayles was also not perturbed with Arnett Garden's threat for the fourth and final spot of which his team occupies. "We are looking to catch the leaders, we are not worried about who is trying to catch us."
"We are not worrying about Arnett Gardens, who is behind us. I told the players. This is a game we couldn't afford to lose and we didn't," Hayles added.
The feature game of the triple-header had an atmosphere worthy of a cup final with Harbour View's 'pam, pam' girls cheering non stop and the Arnett supporters adding to the excitement.
