Howard Walker, Staff ReporterDEFENDING CHAMPIONS Tivoli Gardens edged Reno FC 2-1 in their Wray and Nephew National Premier League (NPL) game at Edward Seaga Stadium yesterday, but it was not enough to ensure a spot in the first End-of-Round Final.
Edward Seaga, chairman of Tivoli Gardens said his team's failure to reach the End-of-Round Final, was due to poor refereeing in their crunch clash with Arnett Gardens on November 7 that finished 1-1.
"'Rusty' (Chisholm) was well offside," said Seaga with his hands wide apart, showing the distance between Chisholm and the defenders. "The linesman was right there and it cost us two points".
MISSED OUT ON FINAL
Instead of 23 the points they now have, those two points would have made Tivoli's tally 25, one ahead of Waterhouse who made the final with a 4-1 win over Constant Spring.
A 15th minute goal by Marvin Morgan gave Tivoli the lead but a Christmas gift an own goal - by Kasai Hinds, levelled the score before Markino Gillings scored the winner in the 65th minute.
Tivoli Gardens showed the depth of their squad by resting five starters goalkeeper Kirk Porter, Steve Green, Victor Thompson, Christopher Jackson and Orane Simpson. They were also without three players on national duty Fabian Davis, Lenworth Hyde Jnr. and Roland Dean.
According to coach, Glendon 'Admiral' Bailey, he didn't have much hope of reaching the End-of-Round Final as he knew Waterhouse wasn't going to lose to Constant Spring, plus the congestion in the fixtures was his real reason to rest these players ahead of the important Caribbean Club return final against Harbour View on Wednesday.
"That (End-of-Round final) wasn't our main objective because when we looked at our fixtures we realised that it would be a very difficult task for Waterhouse to lose. Our main objective was to get three points and put ourselves in a reasonable position in the standings."
