Howard Walker, Staff Reporter
Spectators occupy the 600-seater stand at Boys' Town during the Wray and Nephew National Premier League match at Collie Smith Drive yesterday. Lack of a stand had prevented Boys' Town from hosting home matches at the venue since making its return this season to the NPL following a 10-year absence. - PHOTO BY WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
BOYS' TOWN, playing at home in the Wray and Nephew National Premier League (NPL) for the first time in over 10 years, scored a close 1-0 win over Rivoli United at Collie Smith Drive yesterday.
Since their return to the top flight this season, Boys' Town had to wait four months to finally play at home after not meeting the Jamaica Football Federation's (JFF) seating requirements to host games.
But with a new 600-seater stand in place and hundreds of spectators surrounding the field, George Vernal pounced in the 88th minute, giving the goal-hungry home crowd what they so desperately sought as Collie Smith Drive erupted in joy.
Vernal, who scored twice against Seba United on December 21, latched on to a chested pass by Garfield Gillespie before placing his shot high into the roof of the net.
Andrew Price, technical director of Boys' Town, said he was happy for the win, especially playing at home and giving the home fans something to cheer about.
"I don't think anything less than a victory would be deserving of the team today. We are happy that the community can observe in their numbers here today and that is what makes this game special," said Price.
"The players were a bit nervous playing at home for the first time but as they game progressed we gained more possession and played a lot better," he added.
Boys' Town have leap-frogged Reno into seventh position on 23 points with their fifth win of the season, just five points behind neighbours Arnett Gardens and Tivoli Gardens with a game in hand. Reno have 21 points.
"One of the goals that we have is to keep teams that are behind us and take maximum three points from them and Rivoli are behind us so we decided to get those three points," noted Price.
Meanwhile Rivoli, with their 10th loss of the season, are second from bottom on 14 points from 20 games and need to start gathering points to avoid relegation.
But new coach Calvert Fitzgerald is not worrying just yet and gives his team a couple of weeks to turn things around.
"Not at this time, but we are giving ourselves another week or two and take it from there. I believe with the quality players that we have we will stay in the league," said Fitzgerald, the former coach of Waterhouse.
"We have to do some fitness work now, that is the part that is letting us down at this time. We have some good quality players who will last the course," he added.
GOALSHEET
BOYS' TOWN 1
George Vernal 88th
RIVOLI 0.
