Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter
Carl Brown of Constant Spring (left) tackles Wadadah's top scorer Jermaine Anderson in the first half of yesterday's Wray & Nephew National Premier League game at Jarrett Park. Anderson scored the second of his team's three goals in their 3-2 win. - CONTRIBUTED
CHRISTOPHER NICHOLAS netted a hat-trick as Tivoli Gardens brushed aside a flimsy challenge from Arlington F.C., beating them 5-1 to take all three points from their fixture at the Edward Seaga Stadium yesterday.
Arlington, despite the final score line, begun the match in a positive fashion and stretched the Tivoli Gardens defence early in the game.
They justly reaped rewards for their labour in the 16th minute when defender Marco Mcdonald was found wanting for pace and failed to stop a cross along the ground.
Jermaine Oakley was the beneficiary as finding himself unmarked at the back post, he was able to comfortably slot home to give Arlington the early lead.
The goal, however, awoke the sleeping Tivoli Gardens who began to press for the equaliser.
They looked ever more menacing as the half progressed, launching speedy attacks down the flanks but lacking quality in the final crosses.
Their determination was rewarded in the 33rd minute when poor marking led to Christopher Nicholas finding himself free for a close range stab at the ball that spun into the back of the net.
Arlington, under increasing pressure to cope with Tivoli's attacks, then conceded a penalty as a ball played through saw Christopher Jackson hacked to turf.
Nicholas was given the responsibility of giving his team the go-ahead goal and did so, beating goalkeeper Collin Green in the 40th minute despite him getting a touch to the ball.
The second half begun brightly enough with both sides looking to attack, but it was Tivoli which surged ahead in the 51st minute when a Christopher Jackson free kick found Ian McAnuff, who executed a spectacular diving header to give Green no chance.
Tivoli added to their tally seven minutes later when a goalkeeping error from a free kick led to Orane Simpson being left all alone in front of goal. He made no mistake in putting away the opportunity.
Nicholas capped off a dominant performance in spectacular fashion when again finding himself with time and space in the box, turned and blasted a diving volley past the Arlington goalkeeper to complete his hat-trick.
Coach Glendon Bailey while pleased with his team's performance, stressed that there was still a lot of work to be done.
"I think we played well coming down from 1-0 early in the game, but inconsistency has been hurting us and we are trying to get the team as consistent as possible. Scoring five goals is a positive step but there is still work to be done."
Arlington's Glendel Facey, despite being disappointed by his team's performance, was hopeful.
"They didn't do too badly but the marking was very poor. The goalkeeper did a good job but the defence let him down. We will look to add hard work and discipline and get points."
In other games, Arnett Gardens demolished Invaders 5-0 on the back of Patrick Beech's four-goal onslaught at Tony Spaulding Sports Complex, while Wadadah turned back Constant Spring 3-2 at Jarrett Park.
