Boys' Town displayed greater efficiency at scoring than neighbours Arnett Gardens to emerge 2-0 winners in their Digicel Premier League Trench Town derby at Collie Smith Drive yesterday.

The Red Brigade started off on the front-foot and took only two minutes before getting their first effort on goal; a header from Daemion Benjamin. It was a weak effort, allowing Arnett Gardens custodian, Damion Hyatt, to save easily.

Arnett Gardens' first effort was a 10th-minute free kick by Kwame Richardson, which went well high and seemed to have set the tone for their game.

The game then quieted down and needed a goal, which Boys Town's George Vernal provided in the 32nd minute when he was brought down on the edge of the box. He picked himself up and struck a powerful free kick from 19 yards out, which took a deflection off the wall before nestling in the back of the net.

Arnett Gardens then squandered three consecutive opportunities to pull themselves level. The first came four minutes before half-time, followed by two on the other side of the half. The best of the chances fell to Richardson in the 54th but Boys' Town's keeper, Kirk Porter, brilliantly saved his powerful shot from point-blank range.

The Red Brigade effectively killed the game off in the 63rd minute when Peter Keyes scored with a glancing header after being on the pitch for only five minutes.

They came close to making it 3-0 on the stroke of full time but substitute Anthony Bennett's effort from three yards out struck the crossbar.

Boys' Town's coach, Andrew Price, was naturally happy with the three points but is also looking at the bigger picture.

Accumulating points

"We came out here in a businesslike fashion and dealt with the game efficiently and collected the three points," said Price, whose team moved third on 33 points, six behind leaders Harbour View, who beat Tivoli Gardens (35) 1-0 in their one-two matchup.

"That is what we want to do, accumulate points for the remainder of the round, keep close to the leaders and hope that they slip up so that we can take the lead at some point in the season," he added.

Fabian Davis, coach of Arnett Gardens which remained on 19 as they slipped into the bottom four, is looking to strengthen his side in the January transfer window.

"The only difference in this game today is that Boys' Town put away their two chances," Davis said.

He added: "We need to bring in players; some players are already in training preparing for the January transfer date."

Arnett are one point ahead of Humble Lions, which beat Village 1-0. The Trelawny team is tied at the bottom on 15 points with August Town, which lost 0-2 at Sporting Central.

Boys' Town 2

George Vernal 32nd

Peter Keyes 63rd

Arnett Gardens 0