Latest News
Atkinson’s double denies Arnett
April 02, 2025
Dwayne Atkinson scored a double as Cavalier came from behind twice to draw 2-2 with Arnett Gardens in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex on Monday night.
Fabian Reid fired Arnett in front after eight minutes but Atkinson levelled the score in the 16th minute from the penalty spot.
Warner Brown restored Arnett's advantage with a thumping header after 25 minutes, but again Atkinson, capitalising on a defensive error, equalised for a second time three minutes before half time.
Second-place Arnett moved to 66 points, one point clear of Montego Bay in third place. Cavalier are fifth on 49.
Cavalier coach Rudolph Speid praised Atkinson who has been plagued by injuries this season.
"Atkinson is just coming back and this is the best and fittest he has been since the Caribbean Cup final. He was not voted the best player in the Caribbean for nothing. He is really good," Speid commented.
Cavalier have not won any of their last two games and Speid believes the win was there for the taking as they are finding their rhythm once again.
OPPORTUNITIES
"I was really pleased with what we did offensively. I thought we could have nicked it in the second half. We got some opportunities that we should have done better with," he added.
Arnett surged into the lead when Reid fired home on the second attempt after goalkeeper Jaedine White saved his initial effort from a corner.
However, Cavalier equalised moments later, after Shane Watson needlessly brought down Jerome McLeary inside the box.
Brown restored Arnett's lead midway the half, rising above the Cavalier defence and planting a header past White but Atkinson responded again moments before the break, when Joel Jones was indecisive and lost possession to Jamilhio Rigters, who played in Atkinson for the his second of the night.
Both teams had a couple of good chances to grab the points in the second half, but failed to make the most of the opportunities.
Arnett Gardens coach Xavier Gilbert said his team gave Cavalier two goals, and gave away two points.
"I am disappointed we didn't get three points tonight. We did some good things and enough to have won the game.
"Tactically we were smart. We didn't give them any good looks at our goal. But we also did some things really bad and it cost us the game and to me that was the difference," he said.
