Photo: Tivoli goal scoring hero Keammar “Dada” Daley takes on Andrew Vanzie in Red Stripe Premier League action at the Edward Seaga Complex on Sunday. Tivoli won the game 1-0 to move into the top half of the table while Humble Lion sit rock bottom of the twelve team standings following the loss.
Tivoli Gardens moved into the top half of the Red Stripe Premier League for the first time this season when they carved out a narrow 1-0 win over Humble Lion at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex on Sunday. A lone strike from veteran Keammar Daley in the 36th minute was enough to secure all three points for the West Kingston team that had endured a miserable start to the season.
An open and fast paced game saw both teams create chances early on but they were guilty of making poor decisions in the final third. The home team gradually took control of the game and went ahead when Daley scored from just inside the area.
Daley was played in down the left by Weston Forrest and his effort at a cross was blocked and eventually deflected back into his path and he made no mistake, blasting into the roof of the net past the dive of Damion Crooks.
Tivoli could have doubled their lead with only 20 seconds on the second half clock after Navion Boyd slipped in Robert Williams down the left flank. Andre McFarlane met the cross of Williams with a good header but his effort rebounded of the crossbar.
Tivoli continued the hunt for more goals and came close again when a good interchange between Weston Forrest and Daley saw Forrest played in on goal. The midfielder tried to place the ball into the far corner but his effort was blocked by the foot of the goal keeper and the rebound fell to McFarlane whose effort was skewed wide of the far post with goal at his mercy.
Boyd tried his luck from distance but it was just over the crossbar as the home team exerted their dominance.
Moments after entering the fray for Tivoli, Rodico Wellington shot just wide of the post as Tivoli threatened to run away with the game.
Another chance to kill the game off as a contest was spurned when McFarlane showed great strength to hold off his man down the left side before shooting from an acute angle when he had a better option inside from the fast arriving Shawn McKoy.
Forrest came close as the clock ticked away, when his low drive from a cross as the top of the box went inched wide of the upright.
Humble Lion almost sneaked an equalizer five minutes from time but the free kick from Andrew Vanzie was just over the top.
An acrobatic attempt from substitute Denzil Watson never threatened Davin Watkins as Humble Lion tried desperately to grab a point.
In the end it was a deserved win for the Alvin Shaw coached team who now have 18 points, just three less that Cavalier who sit in third place.
Shaw was pleased with the overall performance of his improving team.
“This was a very important win for us. To begin the second round with a win is vital. We had our ups and downs in the early part of the season but we are focused now. The players have gained confidence in me and it is paying off.”
Linval Wilson is now buckling down for a serious fight with Humble Lion.
“Our first half was poor. We gave them too much time and space to play but we had a better second half and got chances to tie the game. We have to focus on getting three points at home each time we play now. It is going to be tough. This is where the premier league starts, we have to get it right in the second round.”
The loss has condemned Humble Lion to bottom position in the league and they have very little time to think about the loss as they have a midweek game to prepare for.
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