Tivoli Gardens ended a two-match unbeaten run to climb four places up the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) standings to eighth with 15 points, after a 2-0 win over Chapelton Maroons at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex yesterday.
Rodico Wellington (32nd minute) and Justin Dunn (90+9) were the scorers for Tivoli, whose 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.
“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 said.
In a first half which produced very little in front of goal, 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 Prince-Daniel Smith with a low shot off the post.
Chapelton showed good intent after the break, with Marcos Roas Filho and Levaughn Williams firing good openings over the bar.
Tivoli had a great chance to extend their lead in the 60th minute, but Smith saved Nichalia Fuller’s penalty, minutes after the winger came on and earned the spot kick himself.
Sean Leighton had a good opportunity for Chapelton soon after, but headed over, while Damoi Whitfield broke away, but goalkeeper Nicholas Clarke got a slight touch to deflect for a corner.
Tivoli were a real threat from set pieces and should have added another goal in the 89th minute when Barrington Pryce headed Fuller’s free kick back across goal for Kavan Wilson, but Smith pulled off an improbable save at point-blank range to deny the defender.
In time added, Leighton had another great chance to tie the score for the visitors, but headed over again.
Tivoli grabbed a second deep into added time after Smith barely kept out Fuller’s audacious free kick, from a wide angle, inside the near post, which Dunn turned home from two yards. Video footage afterwards showed Fuller’s kick had cross the line.
Tivoli’s missed chances did not go unnoticed.
“Getting chances is one, but we need to start converting the chances. Today we converted two and we also missed from the penalty spot,” said Waite.
Chapelton 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 want to press.
“We created numerous 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, the same as Treasure Beach and Arnett Gardens, who played in last night’s late feature against Racing United.
