Hodges' double lifts Rivoli off the bottom
Published: Monday | December 22, 2008
A double from Devon Hodges inspired Rivoli to a 2-0 win over Sporting Central Academy in their bottom-of-the-table Digicel Premier League clash at Brancourt, Claren-don, yesterday.
The stockily built Hodges scored in the 63rd and 68th minutes to catapult his team off the cellar to 13 points, two more than Sporting Central.
It was a largely lacklustre affair, especially in the first half as both teams did not play high-energy and entertaining football for most parts.
Sporting Central had their easiest opportunity to score in the 23rd minute after Keithy Simpson received a ball in the Rivoli goal area with only goalkeeper Leighton Murray to beat. However, Simpson fired over the crossbar.
Game picked up momentum
The game picked up some momentum in the second half as both teams tried to break the deadlock.
Sporting Central got another good opportunity at Rivoli's goal in the 61st minute after the team received a free kick about 24 yards out. However, Hughan Grey's powerhouse shot was blocked by Rivoli custodian Leighton Murray.
Two minutes later, Hodges lifted Rivoli into the lead after he received a ball in Sporting's 18-yard box, dismissed a defender then kicked a well-placed shot to beat goalkeeper Demetrio Brown.
Minutes later, Rivoli's Jermaine Oakley was brought down in Sporting Central 18-yard box and the referee awarded a penalty. Hodges converted from the penalty spot in the 68th minute.
Desperate tie
The Sporting team tried desperately to get back into the game and had a chance in the 73rd minute, but Alanzo Adlam's free kick from 30 yards out was blocked by Murray. Sporting's Levaughn Williams was too slow and squandered an easy chance to convert the rebound.
"We have been trying to put the team into a level of organisation which is consistent with the ability of the team and that is what we displayed today," said Bradley Stewart, technical director of Rivoli.
He added: "This win is good for us because it pushes us up one step above Sporting Central.
Christopher Dawes, the coach of Sporting Central, said: "We were a bit lacklustre in the first half and we waited until Rivoli scored two goals before we started to play."
Digicel Premier League summary and standings after yesterday's matches.
Waterhouse 1 Arnett Gardens 1 at Drewsland Mini Stadium
GOALS: Waterhouse - Roberto Fletcher 62nd; Fabian Davis - 70th
Boys' Town 3 Reno FC 1 at Collie Smith Drive
GOALS: Boys' Town - Michael Campbell 31st, 75th, Peter Keyes 33rd; Reno - Gary McIntosh 45+
Sporting Central Academy 0 Rivoli United 2 at Brancourt
GOALS: Rivoli - Devon Hodges 63rd, 68th pen.
Portmore United 2 Village United 1 at Ferdie Neita Park (TV GAME)
GOALS: Portmore - Roen Nelson 56th, 71st; Village - Preston Corporal 66th
Tivoli Gardens 0 St Georges 0 at Edward Seaga Stadium
LATE GAME: Harbour View vs Meadhaven at Harbour View Mini Stadium
Standings
(Tabulate under Teams, Play, Win, Draw, Lose, Goals For, Goals Against, Second Round Points, Total Points)
| Teams | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | RP | TP |
| H View | 13 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 23 | 6 | 6 | 29 |
| Tivoli | 14 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 18 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
| Boys' Twn | 14 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 23 | 12 | 9 | 27 |
| Portmore | 13 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 20 | 12 | 9 | 25 |
| St Georges | 14 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 14 | 12 | 4 | 23 |
| W'house | 14 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 19 | 20 | 4 | 19 |
| Reno | 14 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 14 | 18 | 1 | 13 |
| Rivoli | 13 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 14 | 20 | 3 | 13 |
| Meadhaven | 13 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 23 | 1 | 12 |
| Village | 14 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 14 | 25 | 0 | 12 |
| Arnett | 14 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 6 | 12 | 1 | 12 |
| Sporting | 14 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 21 | 2 | 11
|
