Sterling earns point for Arnett
NEWTON STERLING’S 85thminute strike saved Arnett Gardens from a third successive defeat in the Red Stripe Premier League at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex yesterday. The 2014-2015 champions, who were still smarting from back-to-back 2-0 defeats to champion Montego Bay, were 1-0 down to Reno at the Tony Spaulding Complex on Jashane Foster’s 16th-minute penalty. Sterling, who came into the game 15 minutes from the end, to loud protests from fans, silenced his critics with a towering header in the 85th minute and gave the hosts their first point in three outings. The 32-year-old striker was not distracted by the fans’ protests. He told The Gleaner that he has been representing Arnett for ten seasons now and he has never focused on the fans as he is just doing his job.
“To be honest, I don’t have a reaction towards it (fans) because it’s my job to score goals. I am sorry I couldn’t get two. But what spectators say does not matter to me because you have some saying Sterling must play and you have others saying no, so it’s neither here nor there for me. I am just doing my job,” he said.
However, he was pleased to help stop the team’s two-game slide.
DIFFERENCES TO BE SEEN SOON
“We couldn’t afford to get another one (defeat) today. The two defeats were rough. We had a draw today, so that was a positive. Hopefully, we can build on this. We had some issues that took a toll on the team, but we should have a full week, and you should see some differences in the Tivoli game next Sunday,” he added.
Reno went ahead after 16 minutes when goalkeeper Damion Hyatt cut down Afiba Chambers in the box and Foster dispatched the penalty.
After the break, Arnett pinned their opponents inside their half, but wasted good chances to score. Sterling’s impact was immediate when he came on as he nearly set up Ranike Anderson and then headed a cross just wide. But five minutes from time, there was nothing Reno could do when the big striker climbed above the defence to head home Lloyd’s cross.
Arnett’s coach Jerome Waite said the situation was best suited for Sterling to come in when he did.
“Supporters are going to have their say because they are coaches from the stands, but based on how the game was going, we thought that Sterling’s six feet four inches height would make a difference,” he said.
Meanwhile, UWI (26) beat Waterhouse (11) 1-0 to move to the top of the league again, ahead of last night’s late game between Harbour View and Montego Bay United.
Jamalco (13) picked up their first win in nine matches with a 2-1 win over MaverleyHughenden (13). Tivoli (23) climbed two places to third after a 4-0 hammering of Boys’ Town (7), who remained at the bottom. The game between Humble Lion (21) and Portmore (21) was blown off at half-time because of a waterlogged field.