- IAN ALLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Tivoli Gardens' Fabian Davis (right) jumps to evade a slide tackle by Village United's Oneil Thomas during their Wray and Nephew National Premier League match at Edward Seaga Stadium yesterday. The teams tied 2-2.
Daraine Luton, Freelance Writer
WERE IT not for a 90th minute strike from substitute Horace Howell, reigning Wray and Nephew National Premier League champions Tivoli Gardens would have suffered the embarrassment of a home defeat to Village United at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex yesterday.
Howell, a national Under-20 representative playing in only his second game for Tivoli, directed a Fabian Davis' corner past Elvis Hart in Village's goal to snare a point for Tivoli. "We came so close (to taking all three points) but lost concentration and paid the price," were the remarks of Village's coach, Dr. Dean Weatherly, after the game.
"When you are on the road the aim is always to get a point. We played well enough for all three, even with 10-men. But to give up a goal almost at the end is really disheartening," he added.
Until that late concession, Tivoli steered at Omar Allen's brace (27th and 70th minutes) which looked to be growing into something of a mountain, even though Christopher Nicholas had pulled one back in the 72nd minute. But as Tivoli's manager Brian Rose pointed out, Village not only surprised them but his strikers were "...just poor in their finishing and Hart was too good."
MISSED OPPORTUNITIES
Markino Gillings got the first chance of the game but hit wide after Roland Dean caught the defence off guard and played through to him. Midway the first half Dean himself created a simple opportunity but with the defence pulled out of place and Hart at his mercy, he scurried a shot across the face of goal.
Dean looked to the heavens but by the time he looked down his team was trailing 0-1. Allen had gotten between two defenders and headed home an Oneil Thomas cross. The champs had found themselves behind and were to remain there until the 72nd minute when Nicholas superbly headed home from a Victor Thompson cross.
Prior to this however, some of their spectators had streamed out of the venue after seeing their beloved homeboys fall behind 0-2. Nicholas' goal brought them back inside though and inspired life among his team members who sought target practice at Hart. The goalie was magnificent though, as he pulled off some unbelievable saves. No wonder he looked disappointed as he trotted off the field to the reality that Village were unable to jump to double figures in the second round points table.
