Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter
Arnett Gardens' Patrick Graham (right) tackles Reno's Kendrie Quarrie during their Wray and Nephew National Premier League football game at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex, yesterday. Arnett won 5-1. - ANDREW SMITH/PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR
TWO EARLY goals by in-form striker Kwame Richardson propelled Arnett Gardens to a merciless 5-1 pounding of Reno F.C. as Wray and Nephew National Premier League action continued at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex yesterday.
Richardson's ninth and 10th goals of the season came in a two-minute flurry. He opened the scoring for the home team in the 12th minute, as the speedy Oniel Marshall made his way down the right flank before putting the ball back across goal for Richardson to fire home.
The club's leading scorer would extend his team's lead two minutes later, when combination play between himself and Kevin Wilson culminated in him breaking away from his defender, darting into the box to put his team two ahead.
Reno had gotten off to a slow start and from that they never fully recovered.
EASY GOALS
"We gave up two easy goals in the first half and we really did not play the way that we should have," explained Reno coach Eaton Bruce.
At the same time he was by no means pleased with the officiating and believes it contributed heavily to his team's loss.
"Another area that caused us to fall down was the officiating. It was poor and it gave something to the opposing team. We got two chances for two penalties and they were not given, that could have gotten us back into the game," he said.
However, two goals down in the second half Reno did have their opportunities to score. A Reno cross saw Richard Scott turn quickly to find himself all alone in front of goal, but his 55th minute-rushed shot spun off his boot and then high over the crossbar.
GOLDEN OPPORTUNITIES
Almost at the same time, Wilson and Richardson had golden opportunities to extend their team's lead but with a gaping goal, both players fired their chances wide in similar fashion.
Wilson would finally put the game away in the 60th minute when ran on to a through ball, carrying it from 30 yards out
to easily slot past an on-rushing Dwayne Kerr, the Reno custodian.
Wilson added another nine minutes later with a powerful volley, when a Marshall cross fell to him in front of goal.
A minute later Wilson was dragged down in the box, leading to a penalty, allowing birthday-boy Marlon Benbow to score Arnett's fifth with a well-taken penalty.
Nicholi Findlayson notched a Reno consolation goal eight minutes from time.
"It's a new year and we have a new resolve. I think our application here today was excellent. As long as we can lift ourselves to this quality the results will always be the same," remarked Arnett coach Michael Tulloch.
"Our aim right now is to end up second so we have a chance to play in the Caribbean club championships. The leaders are two far away to catch but we remain positive," he said.
GOALSHEET
ARNETT 5
Kwame Richardson 12th, 14th, Kevin Wilson 60th, 69th, Marlon Benbow 70th
RENO 1
Nicholai Findlayson 81st
