Tivoli conquer the wind to blank Dunbeholden 2-0
Published:Monday | January 20, 2025 | 12:09 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
A LATE own goal and an added time Steve Clarke strike saw Tivoli Gardens to a 2-0 win over Dunbeholden in their Jamaica Premier League (JPL) match at the Stadium East field yesterday.
However, the win did very little to help Tivoli gain ground on the top six after Portmore won 4-0 over Harbour View and Waterhouse blanked Vere United 3-0.
Tivoli stayed in seventh with 26 points, four adrift of Waterhouse and Portmore. Mount Pleasant blanked Arnett Gardens 2-0 at Drax Hall to remain on top of the league with 43 points after the top-of-the-table clash. Arnett Gardens are second with 37.
In a game where the heavy wind at the Stadium East created problems for the players, Dunbeholden dominated the first half against Tivoli.
They controlled possession and were constantly knocking at the door of their opponents over the course of the first 45 minutes. However, the St Catherine-based club had few clear chances.
Despite giving the Dunbeholden defence very little to think about in the first period, Tivoli had the clearer sights at goal.
In the 25th minute, Horatio Morgan broke in behind the defence but hesitated and allowed a defender to steal possession.
Then in the final minute of the half, Tivoli came inches away from the lead when a defender deflected the ball onto his crossbar.
After the break, with the wind in their favour, Tivoli took charge, and Kavan Wilson should have put them ahead from a corner early in the half, but he could not keep his effort on goal from six yards.
Nichalia Fuller also had a golden opportunity after he stole possession on top of the box, but he could not beat goalkeeper Romane Hamilton.
Tivoli’s pressure eventually paid off when Chevon Watkin, under pressure from Fuller, lobbed the ball over Hamilton from the edge of the area after 83 minutes.
Fuller came close himself with a shot from the top of the box moments later. However, they sealed the win in added time when Clarke turned home a cross from six yards.
“It wasn’t an easy game, but in the end it looked easy based on the amount of chances we created. When you have so many errors in the final third, that is something that you have to constantly work on,” said Tivoli coach Jerome Waite
Dunbeholden coach Harold Thomas said his players were not good enough for the entire match.
“We were in it up to the 83rd minute. But one moment of madness and we gave it away. I take very little from this performance.
“The team needs a number of things to be able to compete at this level. For some reason somebody thought these players could compete at the Premier League level. They were wrong. They were mistaken. If the will is there we can change it. If not, it’s going to be a long rest of the season,” he said.
Dunbeholden continue to sit one point above the relegation zone on 15 points.