Audley Boyd, Assistant Sport Editor

ARNETT GARDENS fell into the Premier League's relegation zone for the first time in years after losing 1-0 to Boys' Town in a Trench Town derby both teams felt they had to win.

Oneil McDonald netted the all-important goal at the 56th minute and they fought hard to maintain that advantage in a scrappy affair.

The goal came from a one-kick counter after Boys' Town goalie Philmore Crumbie plucked a corner kick out of the air. He launched a kick that bounced straight over the head of Arnett's central defenders, leaving McDonald to sprint away unchallenged before lashing a shot past Arnett custodian Julian McLeish.

Second yellow card

Arnett were reduced to 10 players soon after the goal, at the 63rd minute when Fabian Smith, cautioned as early as the fifth minute for a tackle in Boys' Town's half, picked up a second yellow for another dangerous challenge.

"We wanted to win and keep Arnett behind us. It was very important. We came into the game wanting to win and keep them behind us," said Boys' Town coach Andrew Price.

Max Straw of Arnett noted the same reason for pulling a midfielder early in the second half. He said: "Before it started I said I had to win this game. We just couldn't afford to draw. Boys' Town were ahead of us and we just had to get ahead of them."

Core players

Arnett were without their established core players.

Kevin Wilson and Leon Strickland, who have combined for at least 90 per cent of the team's goals this season, along with Cornel Chin-Sue, Gerald Neil and Jerry Walters, watched from the stands. Another striker, Marcelino Blackburn, is headed for Harbour View, while Strickland and Kwame Richardson, who hasn't featured this season, are headed for Waterhouse.

Boys' Town 1
Oneil McDonald 56th

Arnett Gardens 0