By Nodley Wright, Staff Reporter
Tivoli's Craig White (left) makes a sliding tackle on Hazard's Kendri Quarrie during Premier League action at Railway Oval yesterday. The game ended 2-2. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
HAZARD United failed to capitalise on an impressive second half in their 2-2 draw with runaway leaders Tivoli Gardens in the National Premier League competition at Railway Oval yesterday.
The draw was good enough to further cement Tivoli Gardens' position in the end of round final while Hazard remained two points behind Harbour View who ended 0-0 with Constant Spring. A win for Hazard would have put them on equal points with Harbour View with one set of matches to play.
Promoted team, Village United departed from the norm on a day of draws as they stopped Duhaney Park, the team which stepped up with them to the Premier League at the beginning of the season, 2-0.
At Constant Spring, Waterhouse and Wadadah battled to a 1-1 draw.
The Railway Oval clash did not disappoint as two of the teams with the deepest rosters went at each other. Despite playing away from home, Hazard looked more comfortable as Tivoli Gardens looked hesitant in defence.
Both teams traded attacks early but it came as no surprise when Hazard took the lead in the 25th minute through the hard-running Reon Nelson. Nelson spotted midfielder Andrew Chisholm fiddling with the ball close to his goal area and picked his pocket. He made his way into the Tivoli Gardens 18-yard box and fired a left-footer past goalkeeper Edsel Scott.
Ten minutes later Tivoli Gardens were on even terms when the competition's leading scorer, Christopher Nicholas hit the target for the ninth time. Roland Dean was lucky to earn a foul off Hazard captain Linval Dixon which presented Nicholas with the chance he needed.
The skilful player stepped up, curled the ball over the wall and squeezed it into the bottom left hand corner of the net past the diving Shawn Sawyers.
Three minutes later Tivoli Gardens were 2-1 up thanks to Dean. The goal was due largely to the hard work of Steve Green who blocked a pass from Kendri Quarrie on the right flank, raced forward and crossed. No one connected with it. Captain Stewart Clarke collected it on the left of midfield just outside the Hazard area and fired it goalward where the intelligent Dean turned the ball home with his chest.
The home team started out more strongly and threatened their opponents' goal early. This dominance would not last as Hazard under the direction of Christopher Dawes and substitutes Kevin Deerr and Paul Young took over the midfield.
Quarrie, the deceptively skillful player made up for his first half error by creating the equaliser. He skipped by Victor Thompson, Tivoli's right back as if he was not there and used his left foot to put in a perfect cross from Andrew Morrison. Morrison stooped a bit and headed past Scott.
From then on it was all Hazard with Tivoli Gardens choosing to soak up the pressure and attempting to hit on the counter. Hazard had a number of chances to score the winner but were let down by poor shooting. Nelson had the best effort in the 78th minute when a searing left foot drive skimmed the crossbar and went over the bar.
"I am not really satisfied," said Hazard coach Lenworth Hyde at the end of the game.
"We needed the three points to keep us in contention for the end of round final and to improve our chances in the League itself," he continued bemoaning the missed chances.
For Tivoli's Dave Clarke the result was a satisfactory one. "It was a satisfactory result but I felt that we should have won the game. We slowed down in the last 45 minutes."
Yesterday's results:
Tivoli Gardens 2Hazard 2
Harbour View 0 Constant Spring 0
Waterhouse 1 Wadadah 1
Village United 2 Duhaney Park 0
Standings
TeamsPWD L GFGA GD Pts Tot/Pts
Tivoli Gardens861 1 21714 19 27
Harbour View 851 2 138 5 16 28
Hazard United 842 2 107 3 14 30
Arnett Gardens733 184 4 12 32
Constant Spring 833 28 11-3 12 31
Village United841 3 117 4 13 21
Waterhouse 824 288 0 10 19
Wadadah 822 49 13-48 22
Reno 702 538-52 16
Duhaney Park 801 72 20 -181 6
