3 months ago
22
Ten-man Tivoli Gardens clinched the sixth and final play-off spot in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) after a hard-fought, come-from-behind 2-1 win over Montego Bay United at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex yesterday.
The result also ensured that Montego Bay dropped to third in the standings and out of the automatic semi-final slot and into the quarter-finals, which begin on Thursday.
Johann Weatherly put the visitors ahead after 11 minutes, but Nichalia Fuller’s 36th-minute penalty and Lennox Russell’s 40th-minute strike were enough to secure the west Kingston-based team a place in the play-offs.
“It wasn’t an easy game,” Tivoli coach Jerome Waite said. “We started a bit slow and we went down 1-0. But the team didn’t panic. We stepped it up eventually, and when we got the penalty things changed.
“Second half, we came out gunning because we needed these three points more than Montego Bay. They have already qualified, although they wanted to be in the top two and we were on the fence looking in. We knew we had to win this game, and we are looking forward to great things.”
Montego Bay started the game strong and took the lead when Weatherly ran through on a pass and tucked the ball under goalkeeper Davonnie Burton for the opener.
However, Tivoli rallied and pushed their opponents back and threatened on a number of set pieces and a vicious 25 yards strike from Fuller.
Tivoli got the equaliser after 36 minutes when a well-struck volley from outside the box hit the hand of a defender, and Fuller expertly converted from the spot to make it 1-1.
40-MINUTE GOAL
The home team would go in front four minutes later, after Steve Clarke ran through on a pass over the top and crossed for Russell to scramble home from four yards out, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
Tivoli continued to have the better of play after the break, but put themselves under unnecessary pressure when Russell was ejected in the 72nd minute for verbally abusing the assistant referee.
The man advantage swung the momentum of the match into Montego Bay’s favour, but they failed to really trouble the strong Tivoli defence.
“It is not a hard place to come and play,” Montego Bay coach Paul Davis commented. “It’s how you play. The Tivoli guys came out and wanted it more. We were a bit lacklustre. We didn’t come with that fight. But such is football. We know what we have to do in the coming games.”
Tivoli and Waterhouse ended the regular season on 58 points each, but Tivoli were 11 goals better on goal difference than their rivals.
Montego Bay ended in third on 75 points, one behind Arnett, who climbed to second with a 5-1 drubbing of Harbour View.
Meanwhile, Humble Lion’s 16-year stay in the JPL came to an end after they slumped to a 4-0 defeat by Mount Pleasant.
They join another Clarendon club, Vere Phoenix, as the demoted teams this season.
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