Former national striker, Kevin 'Pele' Wilson, produced a brilliant solo effort to hand Arnett Gardens a 1-0 win over Meadhaven United in the Digicel Premier League at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex yesterday.
In what is only his second goal of the season, the former Charlie Smith marksman, after receiving a through pass in the 56th minute from midfielder Loxley Thomas, came under heavy pressure from Meadhaven goalkeeper, Kevin Graham, who advanced from his line high in the area in a bid to stop him.
But showing a level of calmness that is not normally displayed at this level of football locally, Wilson kept his cool to beat Graham and another defender, and with the ball on his left foot, curled home to much fanfare.
Similar chances
"The last game I played I got similar chances. However, because I was too anxious I didn't score. Since then I have been working on how to be calm in the box and today I got the chance," said Wilson, whose first goal came a few weeks ago in the second round against Tivoli.
The win moved Arnett Gardens to sixth place on 24 points, one ahead of Waterhouse, whose game against Portmore was incomplete at press time, and three ahead of Rivoli, who shocked St Georges 1-0 at Lynch Park.
Meadhaven, who began the day third from bottom with 16 points, one ahead of Village and Sporting Central, remained in a similar position.
"The discipline in our defence broke down and it cost us the goal," reflected Meadhaven coach Alrick Clarke, whose boys will return to the "Jungle" on Wednesday for another clash with home team, this time in the quarter-final of the KSAFA/Western Union Jackie Bell Knockout.
The first half of the encounter was an open affair with both teams taking turns at each other's goal and with both teams failing to break the deadlock, action then switched to the second half.
But stout defending and poor finishing meant that only Wilson's strike mattered, a fact that left Arnett Gardens' player-coach, Fabian Davis, happy.
"It's all about points and we got the job done today," said Davis, who for the third match running, gave instructions from the bench due to a calf strain. He is expected to be out for a month.