Tivoli Gardens FC, despite missing a penalty, ended their two-match unbeaten run to climb four places up the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) standings after a 2-0 win over Chapelton Maroons at Edward Seaga Sports Complex on Monday.
Rodico Wellington (32nd) and Justin Dunn (90+9) were the scorers for Tivoli, who advanced to eighth with 15 points.
Their head coach, Jerome Waite, was happy to see his team collecting points again.
“Chapelton didn’t lay down. They came to play and from the first whistle they were up and running,” he said..
“This (win) means a lot to the team, the fact that we are coming off back-to-back losses. But a lot of teams usually suffer in the festive season, so we are hoping we can keep these players in the right frame of mind,” he commented.
In a first half, neither team created much, although Tivoli showed more initiative going forward.
The decisive moment of the first half came in the 32nd minute, when Wellington found space on top of the area and beat goalkeeper Prince-Daniel Smith with a low shot that deflected into the goal off the post.
Chapelton showed good intent after the break, with Marcos Roas Filho and Levaughn Williams firing good chances over the bar.
Tivoli had a great chance to extend their lead in the 60th minute when they got a penalty.
However, Smith saved Nichalia Fuller’s penalty, minutes after the winger came on and earned the spot kick himself.
Tivoli would get a second goal deep into added time, after Smith barely kept out Fuller’s spectacular free kick, taken from a wide angle, and headed inside the near post. But Dunn reacted quickest and finished from two yards.
Video footage afterwards showed Fuller’s kick had already crossed the goal line.
Chapelton Maroons’ head coach Donovan Duckie said it wasn’t their day, especially on the offensive end.
“We were unlucky. We had a game plan and we understand how Tivoli want to play. The field size was conducive to how we wanted to press,” he reasoned.
“We created numerous amount of opportunities but were dismal in front of goal. We have nothing to be ashamed of, we did well. It just didn’t happen for us,” he said.
Chapelton are second from bottom with 12 points.
In the day’s other game, Arnett Gardens FC and Racing United FC played to a 1-1 draw at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex.
Fabian Reid gave Arnett a 68th-minute lead. Tajay Grant equalised for Racing United at the 75th minute.
Racing United lead the 14-team standings with 27 points, while Arnett Gardens are 11th on 13 points.
