Former Tivoli Gardens player Derrick Planter (centre), now representing Arnett Gardens, is surrounded by Christopher Jackson (left) and JermaineTaylor of Tivoli during their Wray and Nephew National Premier League game yesterday at the Edward Seaga Stadium. Tivoli won 2-0. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer Howard Walker, Staff Reporter
TIVOLI GARDENS blanked arch-rivals Arnett Gardens 2-0 in their Wray and Nephew National Premier League game at the Edward Seaga Stadium yesterday to win their three-game series.
Tivoli's victory enabled them to win two of the three games they played this season. Arnett won the first clash 3-2 but lost the next two 1-0 and 2-0.
In fact, the orange and black completely owned the bragging rights, having knocked Arnett out of the Red Stripe Champions Cup 4-0 on aggregate.
Improving defender Dwight Heron headed in the opener in the sixth minute before substitute Lenworth Hyde Jr. sealed the points with a gem of a goal.
Hyde collected a ball at the half line, played a one-two with Sheldon Palmer, before releasing Kemar Flemmings down the left flank.
He then raced some 20 metres to collect Flemmings' cross before placing his shot into the roof of the net.
Tivoli Gardens, with their ninth win of the season, consolidated fifth position on 38 points, 15 behind leaders Harbour View.
Winning coach Calvert Fitzgerald heaped praised on the depth of his squad, saying eight players were out through injury.
"For the fourth consecutive time we have beaten Arnett Gardens so we came to the game with a lot of confidence," Fitzgerald said. "We had eight of our regular players out today, but we have good depth and we got a 2-0 result and I am pleased about it. It was a deserved margin of victory," he said.
12th loss of the season
Arnett Gardens suffered the 12th loss of the season but remain in sixth position on 34 points, just ahead of August Town and Boys' Town.
Coach Glendon 'Admiral' Bailey blamed his team's inconsistent showing for the season on internal problems in the community and the club.
"There are a lot of problems up there," Bailey said. "Evencoming to the game today three players requested to go back home because of the three persons that died in the car in their community."The community in Arnett Gardens is not together ... lot of war and a lot of internal problems and when you have those problems it must filter down into the team and, that is the biggest challenge right now," he said.
"We lose the series and that is disappointing, seeing that these two teams have been back and forth over the years," said Bailey.
| Tivoli Gardens | 2 |
Dwight Heron sixth, Lenworth Hyde Jr. 87th Arnett Gardens | 0 |
