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Tivoli held by Chapelton Maroons in home return
February 13, 2025
Tivoli Gardens FC marked their return to the Edward Seaga Sports Complex after three seasons with a 1-1 draw against Chapelton Maroons in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) yesterday.
Nathaniel Howe thought he had given the visiting team the lead before the break, with a first-half stoppage-time penalty. But Janoi Williams ensured that Tivoli went in at the break on even terms, by scoring seconds later.
None of the teams could add to their tally, leaving Jerome Waite, the Tivoli Gardens head coach, feeling unimpressed.
"The draw was more (about) chances that we created and did not execute. It was not a situation where the opponent was really creating chances," he said.
"We could have won the game but we ended up giving up a penalty and they scored in the 45+ minute and then we scored back in the 45+ minute. But the supporters they always gave their energy, but the team is still playing a bit lacklustre, especially in the second half. I still expected more from them.
"The atmosphere wasn't bad. It was a during the week game, so you wouldn't get that maximum support. But they took the time out and rally around the team and that's a good sign," Waite commented.
Tivoli have now taken just two points from their last five matches and Waite said if this form continues it will surely affect them psychologically.
"It must affect the team. We are not keeping clean sheets and you are not able to win games. It will put you under pressure. Presently, we are still in eighth position and if we had won the game today we would have found ourselves back in seventh spot. But we still have to continue work. We have our fair share of injuries and we are hoping those players can recover from injury and get themselves back in match condition," he stated.
Waite, however, said he was satisfied with one aspect of their play.
"There were not much positives. But away from the penalty that we gave (up), defensively we did a much better job than the offence," he said.
Tivoli sit eighth with 28 points, while Chapelton are 11th with 21 points.
At Effortville, home team Humble Lion and Racing United ended 1-1. Humble Lion took the lead through Stephen Barnett after only four minutes. But Deandre Johnson ensured a point for the visitors with an 84th-minute strike.
Humble Lion stayed at the foot of the table on 15 points, while Racing remained seventh on 29 points.
Meanwhile, Portmore (fourth) and Dunbeholden (10th) also stayed as they were in the standings after their 0-0 stalemate at Ferdi Neita Park.
Portmore had the bulk of the chances with Romeo Guthrie, Tedj Bryan and Cardel Benbow all wasting good opportunities. However, late in the match Shakeen Powell almost stole all three points for Dunbeholden, but his lob crashed against the bar and went out of play.
Portmore, in fourth, climbed to 39 points, while 10th-place Dunbeholden moved to 23.
