Paul-Andre Walker, Staff Reporter
Arnett Gardens' Donovan Bernard (No.10) tries to shake off the challenge of Village United's defender Collin Williams during their Wray and Nephew National Premier League game at the Tony Spaulding Sports Complex yesterday. Looking on is Village's Kirk Hendricks (right). Arnett won 1-0. - RICARDO MAKYN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
VILLAGE UNITED continued their rotten run in the Wray and Nephew National Premier League, when they went down 1-0 to Arnett Gardens at the Tony Spaulding Sports Complex yesterday.
Playing with a man down from the 24th minute, Village watched anxiously as Gregg Taylor got his first goal for his new club in the 69th minute.
Village's troubles started when Henrique Green was issued his second yellow for dissent early in the game.
To their credit though, they never looked a man down and created opportunities for themselves.
The fluent passes that they had created initially through Leon Irving and Shane Crawford dissipated under the pressure of having a man down and the good team defence of Arnett Gardens.
Arnett, on the other hand, looked a little uncertain about what to do with their numerical advantage and broke down in front of goal on a number of occasions.
It took the old heads to come to grips with what was needed and Kwame Richardson provided that.
AERIAL BALL
In the 68th minute Richardson showed why he has been in the Arnett Gardens starting 11 for so many years when he picked up an aerial ball and with one control, fired towards goal before the ball had touched the ground. The deflection went for a corner but the attempt showed what was necessary.
In the very next minute Richardson was at it again, this time turning provider when he unleashed a beautiful through ball for Taylor.
With utmost composure, Taylor slowed his dribble before expertly curing the ball around goalkeeper Elvis Hart, who was stranded off his line.
Arnett Gardens coach, Jerome Waite, who had watched his team spurn a number of opportunities, thanked his team for at least coming away with three points.
SCRAPPY
"It was a little scrappy today, but the most important thing is that we got three points," said Waite, who hoped that the young players in his team would begin to do well soon.
Village's coach Dr. Dean Weatherly wasn't too disappointed with the result, given his team's disadvantage.
"Considering that we went one man down early I think the team lifted themselves up and gave a creditable performance," said Dr. Weatherly, pointing out that he was worried that his team has still not scored since the start of the season.
Arnett Gardens now have six point while Village remain in two.
SCOREBOARD
ARNETT GARDENS 1 - Gregg Taylor 69th
VILLAGE UNITED 0
