Arnett Gardens' Fabian Davis (left) and Cornel Chin-Sue didn't have much to smile about as they were booted from the Jackie Bell Knockout by Waterhouse in last night's semi-final at the Harbour View Mini-Stadium. - Peta-Gaye Clachar
FORMER Arnett Gardensstriker, Leon Strickland, struck at the death last night for Waterhouse, booting his old team out of the Jackie Bell Knockout semi-finals with a 90th- minute goal at the Harbour View Mini-Stadium. Under pressure from Arnett for most of the game, Waterhouse got their winner seconds from extra time when substitute Damion Powell broke free on the left side of the box and fired a shot, which goalie Julian McLeish parried into the path of Strickland. The former Arnett Gardens striker, who left the 'Junglists' during January's transfer window, made no mistake from close range, poking the rebound past McLeish, who had an otherwise brilliant night between the sticks. Waterhouse, who won the Premier League second-round final last Sunday, beating Tivoli Gardens 1-0, will face defending champions Harbour View in this Sunday's final, starting 5:00 p.m. at Harbour View. Tough lossIn the opening semi-final, Clifton Waugh netted a penalty in the sixth minute and Kemar Petrekin tapped in a goalmouth effort in the 65th to book Harbour View's spot in the final. It was a tough loss for Arnett, who had the better of exchanges for the entire first half, exploiting Waterhouse's vacant wing-back positions. Goalkeeper Maurice Evans was repeatedly tested by Fabian Davis whose free kicks had the Waterhouse 'keeper scrambling. Onandi Lowe first tested Evans in the ninth with a low but powerful shot from 21 yards, which the 'keeper failed to collect cleanly. Davis twice threatened with his free kicks, the second of which, a curving effort to the far post from the left flank, had Evans going full stretch to palm away for a corner in the 26th minute. Arnett's fans thought Cornel Chin-Sue had sent them ahead in the 37th minute but his goal was called off-side. The Junglists ended the half in style with Davis' 40-yard free kick in stoppage time, extending Evans to the top left-hand corner as he parried for a corner. After the break, Strickland wasted a grand chance to put Waterhouse ahead. Sent clear by Jomo Gordon on the right side, he failed to compose himself and rushed a high shot over the bar. Waterhouse afterwards made two changes which, unlike Arnett, brought fresh legs to the game, making a world of difference. Coach Wayne Fairclough summoned Roberto Fletcher for Jonathan Williams in the 57th and called on the veteran Powell for Gordon in the 75th. Arnett started showing signs of fatigue and McLeish was called on to deny Strickland on the goalline in the 66th. However, needlessly playing a man short after Fabian Smith was injured, the brilliant Arnett goalie could do nothing to keep out his former teammate in the dying moments, after blocking Powell's effort at his near post.
Heartbreaker! 90th-minute goal eliminates 'Junglists' from Jackie Bell KO
By Ainsley Walters, Freelance Writer
FORMER Arnett Gardens striker, Leon Strickland, struck at the death last night for Waterhouse, booting his old team out of the Jackie Bell Knockout semi-finals with a 90th- minute goal at the Harbour View Mini-Stadium. Under pressure from Arnett for most of the game, Waterhouse got their winner seconds from extra time when substitute Damion Powell broke free on the left side of the box and fired a shot, which goalie Julian McLeish parried into the path of Strickland. The former Arnett Gardens striker, who left the 'Junglists' during January's transfer window, made no mistake from close range, poking the rebound past McLeish, who had an otherwise brilliant night between the sticks. Waterhouse, who won the Premier League second-round final last Sunday, beating Tivoli Gardens 1-0, will face defending champions Harbour View in this Sunday's final, starting 5:00 p.m. at Harbour View. Tough loss In the opening semi-final, Clifton Waugh netted a penalty in the sixth minute and Kemar Petrekin tapped in a goalmouth effort in the 65th to book Harbour View's spot in the final. It was a tough loss for Arnett, who had the better of exchanges for the entire first half, exploiting Waterhouse's vacant wing-back positions. Goalkeeper Maurice Evans was repeatedly tested by Fabian Davis whose free kicks had the Waterhouse 'keeper scrambling. Onandi Lowe first tested Evans in the ninth with a low but powerful shot from 21 yards, which the 'keeper failed to collect cleanly. Davis twice threatened with his free kicks, the second of which, a curving effort to the far post from the left flank, had Evans going full stretch to palm away for a corner in the 26th minute. Arnett's fans thought Cornel Chin-Sue had sent them ahead in the 37th minute but his goal was called off-side. The Junglists ended the half in style with Davis' 40-yard free kick in stoppage time, extending Evans to the top left-hand corner as he parried for a corner. After the break, Strickland wasted a grand chance to put Waterhouse ahead. Sent clear by Jomo Gordon on the right side, he failed to compose himself and rushed a high shot over the bar. Waterhouse afterwards made two changes which, unlike Arnett, brought fresh legs to the game, making a world of difference. Coach Wayne Fairclough summoned Roberto Fletcher for Jonathan Williams in the 57th and called on the veteran Powell for Gordon in the 75th. Arnett started showing signs of fatigue and McLeish was called on to deny Strickland on the goalline in the 66th. However, needlessly playing a man short after Fabian Smith was injured, the brilliant Arnett goalie could do nothing to keep out his former teammate in the dying moments, after blocking Powell's effort at his near post.Arnett Gardens' Fabian Davis (left) and Cornel Chin-Sue didn't have much to smile about as they were booted from the Jackie Bell Knockout by Waterhouse in last night's semi-final at the Harbour View Mini-Stadium. - Peta-Gaye Clachar