Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter
RIVOLI UNITED took another step away from the Wray and Nephew National Premier League's danger zone when they beat Arlington 3-1 in the derby match at the Spanish Town Prison Oval yesterday.
Arlington, fighting to stave off relegation, started brightly and seem determined to come away from the game with a positive result.
However, their hopes were dampened in only the third minute when a goalkeeping error by Collin Green left Devon Hodges with an empty net into which he comfortably placed the ball.
The goal did not seem to rattle Arlington and they continued passing the ball around in a resolute fashion. It was one of these five-pass possessions that allowed Dwayne Gowe to break into the box and slot past Moshell Nelson for the equaliser in the 13th minute.
SLOPPY DEFENSIVE PLAY
Arlington failed to come out with the same intensity in the second half and seemed lackadaisical with their Premier League survival at stake. Sloppy defensive play led to a cross which found the boot of Sean Coleman and he made no mistake in lashing a one-time volley past goalkeeper Green to restore Rivoli's lead in the 51st minute.
A few minutes later, Arlington seemed to be given a lifeline when Rivoli captain and crowd favourite Garfield Reid was given a red card for retaliating to a rough challenge. Despite being a man down, Rivoli continued to press forward and Arlington seemed to look the team with a man short.
Coleman added to Arlington's woes by increasing his personal tally in the 62nd minute. Finding himself with space in the box he blasted the ball which ricocheted against the crossbar and came back down. Referee Hughill Thompson, after looking to the linesman, was convinced and Rivoli were awarded their third and final goal.
