Howard Walker, Stafff Reporter

Arnett Gardens' goalscorer Leon Strickland (without shirt) is congratulated by fans and teammate Marcelino Blackburn, who himself scored twice, as they defeated Tivoli Gardens 3-2 at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex yesterday. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

Arnett Gardens - 3

(Marcelino Blackburn 21st, 56th, Strickland 75th)

Tivoli Gardens - 2

(Jermaine Taylor 62nd, Horace Howell 79th)

ARNETT GARDENS secured their first win of the season with an exciting 3-2 victory over Tivoli Gardens in their Wray and Nephew National Premier League (NPL) game at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex yesterday.

Two goals by Marcelino Blackburn in the 21st and 56th minutes and a Leon Strickland strike in the 75th minute calmed the nerves of the home fans following the dismissal of seven players from the squad on Monday.

The hard-working Jermaine Taylor, in the 62nd minute, and substitute Horace Howell, in the 79th, replied for the visitors in an entertaining game that flowed from end to end.

Arnett Gardens now move to four points, leapfrogging several teams into sixth position pending the results of the two late games between Waterhouse/Naggo Head and Harbour View/Seba.

Winning coach Glendon 'Admiral' Bailey was a relieved man as his team made heavy weather of putting away the Tivoli team he coached last season.

"A little mixed emotion there but right now I am the coach of Arnett Gardens and first and foremost the loyalty must be to Arnett Gardens," said Bailey.

"We especially prepared mentally because we realised that the physical and tactical wasn't our problem. Today we went into the dressing room from 2 o'clock and really worked on their heads and it paid off. Most importantly, these three points, trust me, are a relief."

Bottom of the table

Tivoli Gardens, with their second defeat of the season, are now at the bottom of the table on two points.

Calvin Fitzgerald, coach of Tivoli Gardens, said this was the worst start in the NPL for him as a coach.

"This is my worst ever start to a season and I can't fault the players. We have been playing good football but we are just not getting it right. We just have to work hard and turn it around as quick as possible," said Fitzgerald.

Arnett Gardens, shaken up by the coach's decision to axe seven players, came out firing and deservedly took the lead in the 21st minute.

Blackburn collected an Adonijah Cameron pass, chested it down and fired home from the edge of the box with his right foot.

Blackburn, who played at Harbour View last season, then ran over to the stands to celebrate with his dreadlocked father who was ecstatic.

He then doubled the lead in the 56th minute, latching on to a Strickland long pass, eluded the challenge of sweeper Kasai Hinds, before squeezing his shot under the diving Edsel Scott in goal.

But six minutes later, Tivoli were back in the game. Fabian Davis's downward header was brilliantly parried by goalkeeper Julian McLeish but the resulting corner was headed home by Jermaine Taylor, making it 2-1.

Strickland then restored Arnett's two goal cushion, sidefooting home after Blackburn missed kicked a Kevin Wilson cross in the 75th minute.

But just as the game looked over, Horace Howell popped up in the 79th minute to side-foot home from close range as the Arnett defence fell asleep to set up a tense final 10 minutes.

But the home team, held on for the win after missing at least two-clear cut chances to widen the lead.