By Daraine Luton, Staff Reporter
Tivoli Gardens' striker Nashan Allen, at the back post, flashes a header wide of the Santos goal as goalkeeper Andrew Sewell, right, and central defender Hanif Freckleton, as well as a number of their team-mates, react during their KSAFA/Jackie Bell KO encounter at Mountain View Oval. Tivoli won 1-0. - Michael Sloley /Freelance Photographer
TIVOLI Gardens left it until the 78th minute to score the lone goal of their KASAFA/Jackie Bell knock-out encounter against Santos at Mountain View Oval yesterday to book their place in the semi-finals.
Christopher Nicholas was the only one who had his name on the scoresheet in match lacking in excitement, with none of the teams dominating for any extended period.
Though both teams had goalscoring opportunities, Edsel Scott in the Tivoli goal was called upon on fewer occasions than his opposite number Sewell to effect a save. In fact, although Santos showed they were not afraid to take the attack to the Premier League team, they took few meaningful shots to goal, in most instances crumbling in the final third of attack.
"It was very difficult playing Santos. I thought they played a very disciplined game. They played behind the ball and tried to force us to come at them," said Tivoli's coach, Geoffrey Maxwell. "We are quiet happy to move on to the semi-finals.".
Losing coach Carlton Dennis thought his team "dominated the game but we lost 1-0".
"I am disappointed but not angry because it shows that we have the quality," Dennis said. "It was a good game, it could have gone the other way. More power to Tivoli but we have to just go back to the drawing board and get ready for the Super League," he added.
In an all-Premier League clash at Compound, the real homesters Harbour View eliminated Bull Bay - which uses their turf for their Premier League home matches - 1-0 courtesy of a goal in the last half hour by second half substitute Ali Rose, to claim their spot in the semi-finals.
Victorious coach Donovan 'DV' Hayles, was 'happy' for the win and said they could have scored more goals had their execution been better.
"I'm happy with the approach of the players. They took the game quite serious and it showed in our dominance. We moved well off the ball and the passing was good. The only disappointment was our finishing," said Hayles.
The other semi-finalists are title holders Waterhouse, which beat Constant Spring 6-5 in a penalty shootout at Drewsland; and Arnett Gardens, which advanced without kicking a ball as both their opposing contenders - Olympic Gardens and Meadhaven - were disqualified.
