Lijyasu Simms

Arnett Gardens assistant coach Lijyasu Simms believes the team can end a six-year trophy drought by claiming the Kingston and St Andrew Football (KSAFA) Jamaica Yellow Pages/Jackie Bell KO trophy.

On Monday night, Arnett recorded a 3-2 victory over Tivoli Gardens in the semi-final, in a tempestuous affair at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex.

"This victory will definitely give us a lot of confidence going forward. The guys have been working very hard in training, and they have also been enjoying it, so things can only get better for us from here on," said Simms.

The Junglists were led to victory courtesy of a quick first-half brace from striker Newton Sterling in the 19th and 21st minutes. Rohan Reid scored Arnett Gardens' third in the 66th minute. Romeo Parks (37th) and Navion Boyd (56th) were the goalscorers for Tivoli.

"I knew it was going to be a tough game because Arnett Gardens versus Tivoli is never going to be easy, but we fought to the end, and so we were able to come out victorious," Simms said.

"The final against Boys' Town is going to be very exciting, but I know that my team can do it, because we have been moving from strength to strength, and it is trophy time for us. We are going to take this one back to Arnett Gardens."

The Jackie Bell Knockout competition was the last title Arnett Gardens won, in the 2004-2005 season.

Four players, three from Tivoli, Raymond Williamson (54th), Christopher Jackson (77th) and Ranike Anderson (90th), were ejected from the game by referee Kevin Thomas, while Arnett's Fabian Reid was sent to the showers by Thomas in the 51st minute.

Tivoli assistant coach Alvin Shaw blamed his team's defeat on poor officiating.

"It was a tough defeat for us," said Shaw.

"But as we all saw the officiating was very poor, and it left a lot to be desired. I think it destroyed our game."

"The referee definitely took this one away from us tonight."

Sterling stunned the home crowd with a rasping 30-yard left-footed effort which rocketed past custodian Edsel Scott and into the back of the net. The lanky striker doubled the lead when he cleverly pulled away from two Tivoli defenders inside the area to head home a cross from live wire Jonathan Williams.

Parks pulled one back for Tivoli in the 37th minute when he tapped home a cross from Boyd past goalkeeper Damion Hyatt. Boyd then made it 2-2 for Tivoli 11 minutes into the second half, netting from the penalty spot. However, Reid restored the visitors' lead 10 minutes later, with a low, curling 30-yard shot which beat Scott's outstretched hands.