Arnett Gardens FC 1-0 Grenades FC

Arnett Gardens FC defeat Grenades FC to lift 2024 CFU Club Shield title

 

Arnett Gardens FC 1-0 Grenades FC

 

WILLEMSTAD, Curacao (August 4, 2024)—Arnett Gardens FC of Jamaica are the champions of the 2024 CFU Club Shied, defeating Grenades FC of Antigua and Barbuda 1-0 in a hard-fought final at Stadion Rignaal Jean Francisca in Willemstad, Curacao on Sunday night.

 

The Jamaican team started the brighter, looking to dominate with speed and precision and carved out a few early half chances in the opening moments of the game.  First came a free-kick just outside the penalty area in the 3’, but Rushike Kelson hit over the crossbar. In the 12’ Rushane Thompson pulled off an audacious bit of skill to flick the ball over the head of his marker, but he failed to keep his volley attempt on target.

 

As the first half wore on, Grenades seemed content to sit in deep and play on the counterattack, but their early attempts to play Malcolm Stewart behind the Arnett Gardens defence were unsuccessful.

 

Quinton Griffith, the Grenades FC skipper, looked to gain his team some respite with a spell of pinpoint switching of play, trying to put the Arnett Gardens defence on their heels. This brought momentary success as Luis Labrada found space on the top of the penalty area, but his full-blooded drive solicited a spectacular diving save from Asher Hutchinson in goal for Arnett Gardens in minute 24.

 

Moments later, Kurt Frederick was on hand to spare Zaieem Scott’s blushes as the Grenades goalkeeper failed to cleanly claim a speculative cross from the left side.

 

Arnett Gardens, dominant in possession at this point, continued to press the advantage, and in the 36’ Kelson created space to shoot with some good footwork and skill but harmlessly shot into the waiting arms of Scott. The Jamaican outfit failed to capitalize on their advantage in possession, and, after withstanding the initial onslaught, Grenades began to grow in the game.

 

An increased spell of possession saw the men from Antigua and Barbuda earn a free-kick from a dangerous position on the top of the box. Griffith stepped up, but his 41’ effort sailed narrowly over the crossbar, and a few minutes later, Keanu Barrett shot over the goal in the 45’ after a knocked-down header by Stewart. That proved to be the last action in the first half as the whistle sent the teams to their respective dressing rooms on even terms.

 

The match now balanced on a knife’s edge, both teams resumed the second stanza in earnest, and it was Arnett Gardens again creating the first opportunity of the second half. Jahiem Thomas shot high and wide of the mark after Grenades turned the ball over deep in their own half.

 

With the game opening up, there were chances at both ends of the pitch. Stewart finally got in behind defense in the 52’, but his squared pass was cleared. Jerome Shepard shot over the bar moments later, after a neat lay off by Thompson. Stewart again was in the thick of things a minute later, being played through by Labrada, but Hutchinson was smartly off his line to block the effort.

 

Kurt Frederick’s free-kick evaded the wall but was saved by Hutchinson in the 58’ and, for Arnett Gardens, Fabien Reid had his 60’ effort saved by Scott after the Arnett Garden captain found some space inside the penalty area.

 

Thompson finally broke the deadlock in the 73’ when he fired a fierce, right-footed shot that beat Scott for pace. The sensational strike sent the Arnett Garden’s contingent into frenzied celebration.

 

Needing an equalizer, Grenades coach Derick Edwards introduced Daryl Massicot and Sean Tomlinson, and it was Tomlinson who found Stewart with a headed pass in the 81’, but Hutchinson was again equal to the task, pushing the forwards effort around the post.

 

It was not to be for Grenades, as the rest of the match saw the Jamaicans expertly manage the game to be crowned 2024 CFU Club Shield winners.

 

Both teams punched their tickets to the Concacaf Caribbean Cup. Arnett Gardens open their campaign against compatriots Mount Pleasant FA on August 27. Grenades, meanwhile, play Cibao FC from the Dominican Republic on August 28.

 

Media contact

Mickel Brann-Challenger