Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer
Village United's Edmund Kingston of Liberia (right) shields the ball from Tivoli Gardens' Kasai Hines in the Wray and Nephew National Premier League game at the Elleston Wakeland Centre in Falmouth yesterday. Kingston scored once for Village, which won 3-1. - RICHARD MORAIS/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
VILLAGE UNITED yesterday came from behind to defeat Tivoli Gardens 3-1 in the match-up between the third and fourth-placed teams in the Wray and Nephew National Premier League at Elleston Wakeland Centre.
Despite Village's victory, the positions of the two teams remained unchanged in the 12-team league as with 45, Tivoli Gardens are still a point ahead of Village United.
Craig Stewart, with his second goal in successive NPL games, gave Tivoli Gardens the lead in the eighth minute before Edward Campbell (42nd), Edmund Kingston (72nd) and Teofore Bennett in the 80th minute handed the home team victory.
While Tivoli Gardens were without a number of their star players such as Christopher Nicholas, Jermaine Johnson and Roland Dean, they looked like the home team in the first half as they dominated the game. Village United looked like a disorganised bunch as they surrendered the midfield to the visitors.
Tivoli Gardens deservedly took the lead when Stewart beat the offside trap to receive a ball inside the 18-yard box, slotted into an empty net while the defense appeared motionless.
In Village's only fluid move of the half, Teofore Bennett broke down the left wing and crossed inside for Cornwall College schoolboy Campbell to lob the advancing Edsel Scott for a beautiful goal.
The second half saw a reversal of performances as Village awoke from their slumber while Tivoli Gardens went to sleep.
It was one of Nicardo Folkes' crosses that earned Village the go-ahead goal as Kingston headed home from inside two yards.
Bennett had very little option but to score in the 80th minute as Kingston took down a cross on his chest, shielded the ball as Bennett ran on to strike home sweetly.
As has been the case with most teams playing at Village United, Tivoli coach Glendon "Admiral" Bailey said the poor quality of the field contributed to their loss.
"We just don't play well on this field. This field is a field where the surface is very bad. At half-time all the players were complaining about the surface and the ball, some of the things you do not really want to talk about because it may sound like it is because you lose," Bailey said..
The ball used, which according to Bailey was not FIFA-approved, was another cause of his team's less than satisfactory display.
Dr. Dean Weatherly, the coach of Village said, "It was a hard fought one, coming from behind. We went down very early and I think in the first half we were a bit jaded. We were not concentrating and I think we paid for that.
"We discussed it in the half-time break and I think they came out and played with a little bit more purpose and were more industrious especially in the midfield," Dr. Weatherly said.
GOALSHEET
VILLAGE 3
Edward Campbell 42nd, Edmund Kingston 72nd, Teofore Bennett 80th
TIVOLI 1
Craig Stewart 8th.
