Mobay United maintain momentum in RSPL

Photo: Goalscorer Omar Gordon controls on his chest in mid-air while Damion Gordon defends, Gordon got the game’s only goal in the 3rd minute of play

Montego Bay United maintained their winning momentum atop the Red Stripe Premier League when they carved out a narrow 1-0 win over Tivoli Gardens at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex on Sunday March 16th.

Photo: Goalscorer Omar Gordon controls on his chest in mid-air while Damion Gordon defends, Gordon got the game’s only goal in the 3rd minute of play

Montego Bay United maintained their winning momentum atop the Red Stripe Premier League when they carved out a narrow 1-0 win over Tivoli Gardens at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex on Sunday March 16th.

Both teams had met at the same venue on the opening day of the season with the home team winning by the single goal. It was sweet revenge for Mobay United who were registering their four consecutive win to maintain the 3 points gap over defending champions and former league leaders Harbour View.

The visitors got off to a flying start when Omar Gordon fired home with barely three minutes on the clock. The early goal stunned the home fans into total silence as Mobay profited from a sleepy Tivoli defence.

The game, which was played in windy conditions, saw the away team settling quicker and dominating for long periods through the industry of midfielder Fabian McCarthy.

Dino Williams fired a fierce shot on goal in the 11th minute and carried by the wind the ball swerved dangerously forcing Tivoli custodian Edsel Scott to pull off a great save and prevent the visitors from doubling their lead. Midway the half, Scott was called into action again, this time to keep out the efforts of McCarty who tried to beat him at his near post.

The home fans started getting restless at the sight of their team being dominated by the league leaders, voicing their displeasure at the play of some of the Tivoli players. In fact, it took until the 32nd minute of the game for Tivoli to register a shot on target, a tame effort from Andre Morgan, which failed to trouble Jacomeno Barrett in the Mobay United goal.

The best chance of the half for Tivoli to test Barrett came with five minutes left before the break when they were awarded a free kick 22 yards from goal. The effort from the usually potent Keammar Daley summed up the home team’s first half performance when his shot went harmlessly over the bar.

There was enough time for the visitors to create another goal scoring opportunity when Williams, who was having a good game up front, slipped in front of Damion Gordon and headed on target bringing out another fine save from Scott  who had to react quickly to the sharp header.

Mobay United started the second half just as fast as they did the first, testing Scott once more, when Gordon flashed a header on target following a cross from Lesly St. Fleur. Scott reacted sharply, punching the ball to safety.

A minute later Williams was played in by the dangerous McCarthy but rushed his effort and fired high over the bar from inside the penalty area.

Tivoli tried to play their way back into the game but were guilty of over-playing once too often. McCarthy retrieved the ball from Daley before slipping past two opponents and releasing Gordon on the counterattack. Gordon raced into the Tivoli half before firing a grounder on target. Scott dived to his right to parry the effort and the loose ball fell to Williams who took one touch too many and lost his balance while trying to get off a shot.

While Tivoli was not being over run in the second half they failed to provide anything meaningful in front of goal as Barrett enjoyed a fairly comfortable game in goal against a team chasing the last semifinal spot.

Second half substitute, Jameel Thompson provided some spunk to the offence of the home team and his industry created the best opening of the game for the Glendon Bailey coached team. His hard work resulted in him recovering the ball before passing to Daley whose one time pass slipped in Andre McFarlane. The Tivoli forward who had seen little of the ball all game, shot high and wide, failing to draw a save from Barrett.

The last effort on target for Tivoli came from the boot of Thompson who fired at Barrett’s near post from an acute angle. The goalkeeper showed a safe pair of hands as he caught well to maintain his team’s slender lead.

The sound of the final whistle brought three valuable points for the visitors who have all but secured their place in the semifinal round of the competition. Tivoli on the other hand, continues to struggle to win games at home and will need to rectify that situation soon if they are to sneak into the semifinals.

Hugh Solomon, head coach of Mobay United was  pleased with his teams win, “we came here expecting a tough game and we got exactly that. But we also came for the three points and we are happy to be able to leave with them. These three points allows us to stay ahead of the pack, Tivoli included .

“We are showing that we are ready to be champions and we just have to keep winning and see how many more points we can pick up. We are fighting a little harder and doing more work in front of goal in training which has led us to the top of the table. We just need to maintain it now,” he concluded.

Meanwhile Tivoli coach, Bailey was left fuming at the match officials, “bad officiating,” he blasted. “That caused the early goal. A game of this magnitude should not be decided by officiating. We started the game flat but picked it up in the second half.

“We were not effective enough in the final third today. We were looking to enter the top four this afternoon (with a win) but failed to do so. Now we have to get ready for Sporting Central on Wednesday,” he concluded.