Richard Morais, Gleaner Writer
FALMOUTH:
VILLAGE CAME from behind to hand Tivoli Gardens a 3-2 loss in their Wray and Nephew National Premier League game at the Elliston Wakeland Centre yesterday.
Tivoli drew first blood in the seventh minute through a combination play between attackers with Jermaine Taylor being the last on the play to shoot past advancing custodian Elvis Hart.
The lead was short lived as only four minutes later Newton Sterling struck the equaliser. Sterling got the ball from Fabian Dawkins who, although in a favourable position to score, unselfishly lobbed the ball over the head of a defender to the goal scorer who was in a better position.
Ian McAnuff then sent Village back into the lead when he was left unmarked to accept a cross just outside the smaller box, his shot was clinical.
A defender?s goal sent Village further ahead. Victor Thompson buckled under pressure when Village forward Teofore Bennett pushed a ball across an opponent. Thompson, on seeing the advancement of dangerous striker Dawkins, panicked and instead of clearing the ball pushed it back past his goalkeeper, Edsel Scott.
Tivoli's second goal came by way of a penalty during stoppage time when the referee deemed a tackle by Omar Allen on Roland Dean was a penalty offence. Orane Simpson made no mistake from the spot.
While Village dominated and had Tivoli under curfew for a great part of he game, it wasn't a walk in the park for Village as any team with Dean and Christopher Jackson must be a formidable foe.
However, the strike force of Dawkins, Bennett and Leon Ervin was too much for Tivoli which caused coach Glendon 'Admiral' Bailey to admit that his defence was weak.
"We did not focus on the defensive side and because of this we paid the price today," Bailey said.
Village's assistant coach, Cassman Williams, although mindful that his forwards are the envy of any Premier League team, wants a more cohesive attack from his team. "We want greater coordination between forward and link," Williams said.
GOALSHEET
Village United 3
Newton Stirling - 11th, Ian McAnuff - 43rd,
Victor Thompson - 66th own goal
Tivoli Gardens 2
Jermaine Taylor - 7th, Orane Simpson - 90th penalty
