Shikira Douglas bagged four goals as Arnett Gardens thumped Real Mona 5-2 in a seven-goal thriller in Zone A Jamaica Women’s Premier League (JWPL) action yesterday at the Alpha Institute.
Douglas struck in the 13th, 48th, 49th and 77th minutes to lead her team to all three points.
Arnett picked up their fifth goal when Real Mona’s Shanae Ashley was credited for an own goal in the 84th.
Olivia Ashbourne’s (56th, 90th+2) brace proved a consolation effort for Real Mona on the day.
In the second game of a double-header at the Alpha Institute, Cavalier came from behind to snatch a 2-1 victory over UWI in a tightly contested affair.
Nathania Morris opened the scoring for UWI from the penalty spot in the 31st minute before Tatyana Polack pulled Cavalier level with a cheeky back heel just five minutes later.
Polack secured the win for Cavalier in the 37th minute, reacting fastest to a loose ball in the box and finishing from close range.
Garnett Lawrence, head coach of Arnett, was pleased with the win but felt there were still areas for his team to improve on.
“We got some goals, we gave up some, but we have to give God thanks for that,” Lawrence said after the game.
“It’s a good start. I’m still concerned about a lot of little things within the training sessions and within the game. I’m hoping that by the time we come around to the bigger teams, the bigger performances, we’re ready for it.”
He added, “But I’m still pleased with the little things that we’re doing.”
The Junglists enjoyed a strong start to the contest and found their opener when Douglas was on hand to tap home a delivery into the box from her teammate Shanice Stewart.
It took a while for Arnett to get their second as the game slowed, though both teams created their fair share of half opportunities.
Douglas doubled her tally three minutes into the second half, showing composure when she burst through on goal before slotting her effort around the onrushing goalkeeper.
She made it three just seconds later as Arnett immediately went pressing for the ball after the restart.
Suen Gregory won the ball straight from kick-off and played in Douglas who took an extra touch to round the goalkeeper before slotting into an empty net.
Real Mona added their name to the scoresheet from the penalty spot, Ashbourne converting at the second time of the asking after Shanieka Young was brought down in the box by defender Abigail Mullings.
Douglas restored Arnett’s three-goal advantage and continued her rampage with her fourth goal in the 77th minute.
The striker headed home from a corner despite losing her balance during the strike.
Real Mona’s afternoon went from bad to worse when their captain Ashley inadvertently put the ball in the back of her own net following a miscued attempt at a clearance.
Ashley made up for her defensive error when she combined with Ashbourne in time added, playing the attacker through on goal, who, in turn, calmly placed the ball around the Junglists’ custodian.
Neo Oxford, head coach of Real Mona, said despite the loss, he will be taking some positives from the game as they look to rebound.
He said the experience between the experienced Arnett unit and his group of youngsters proved the difference on the field.
“From today’s match, the lesson that we can learn is that we continue to compete; we continue to show that we deserve to be here,” Oxford said.
“People might say Arnett demolished Real Mona. No, we had them at 1-0 at half-time and then experience, that’s the big word that you have to learn,” he continued.
“That’s the big word that we’re trying to teach these girls in this league. Experience plays a big factor, so that’s what we’re learning.”
