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Tivoli reclaim JPL’s second spot
March 26, 2024
Tivoli Gardens reclaimed second place in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Harbour View at the Anthony Spaulding Complex last night.
Anthony Nelson scored the game's only goal seven minutes into the contest. Jerome Waite-coached Tivoli climbed to 48 points, five adrift of leaders Mount Pleasant and above Cavalier on goal difference.
Waite admitted it was a testing encounter but insisted their defensive effort was the stuff of champions.
"Harbour View came with a purpose. We got an early goal courtesy of Anthony Nelson and the team defended stoutly. This is what you want if you want to be a champion team, you must show what you are made of, and today we did that," he said.
He added that with two games to go and the JPL's second spot still up for grabs, they will continue fighting, with the hope that it can secure them the automatic semi-final spot.
"The hard work dedication, commitment, camaraderie and team unity paying dividends and what we are doing now we are going to continue doing it," Waite said.
Tivoli seized the early initiative in the match and went in front after just seven minutes when Nelson scored.
RATTLED
They rattled the woodwork moments later when Barrington Pryce turned Alton Lewis' free kick against the bar from six yards.
Lewis had a glorious chance to make it 2-0 but could not redirect Lennox Russell's low cross on target.
Harbour View struggled to create quality goalscoring chances, their best effort was a 20-yard strike from Andre Fagan, and a low free kick from Jahshaun Anglin, which goalkeeper Diego Haughton had to react quickly to get a block before the loose ball was eventually cleared.
Harbour View kept the ball well after the interval, but it was Tivoli who got the first real opportunity in the 57th minute, but Steve Clarke opted to pass, instead of shoot, with the goal at his mercy.
Harbour View continued to have the upper hand but had nothing to show until the 70th minute when Garth Stewart headed a sitter over the bar from six yards.
EASY CHANCE
Three minutes later Omar Thompson had an even easier chance when goalkeeper Haughton parried a ball across the face of goal into his path, but the winger inexplicably put the ball wide of the post.
Harbour View's coach Ludlow Bernard said the match summarised their season.
"It was a tough loss, and this game essentially is the story of our season - lots of good build-ups and passing but not a lot of quality in the final third to finish the game.
"We had a couple of chances in the second half when we were dominating them but could not find it," he said.
Harbour View remain in 12th position on 22 points.
In the earlier match at the same venue, Humble Lion slammed Lime Hall Academy 6-0.
