Tivoli topple Waterhouse to go sixth in RSPL

Photo: Tivoli Gardens goal scorer Weston Forrest turns away from Waterhouse midfielder Tremaine Stewart during their Red Stripe Premier League clash on Sunday. Forrest, a former Waterhouse player, came off the bench to score the winner in the final minute of the game as Tivoli beat Waterhouse 1-0.

Tivoli Gardens left it late to secure all three points against former league leaders Waterhouse when they edged the game 1-0 at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex on Sunday to move up into sixth place in the Red Stripe Premier League.

The game began in very windy conditions and neither team made the necessary adjustments early on, trying to play long balls either into the stiff wind or with the breeze which made many off the passes go astray. Add to that the physical nature of the play and the first half proved to be a very forgettable experience.

There were very few bright sparks in the first half but a cross field pass from Jamoy Sibbles was met on the volley by Shavar Campbell which the striker failed to control and his shot went high and wide midway the half.

Andre Morgan also had a chance to get on the score sheet but his feeble effort from a miss-directed header from teammate Rohan Reid trickled behind for a goal kick near the end of the half.

Waterhouse failed to produce anything of note as they fought against the strong wind that gusted across the ground. They were also clearly suffering from the absence of a number of senior players through a combination of illness, injuries and suspensions.

The quality of play stepped up a bit in the second half as the wind died down but the expected quality of play was not reached by either team.

Keammar Daley tried his luck with a free kick from the edge of the area early in the second stanza but his effort went just over the bar.

Ryan Swire had a gilt-edged chance for the visitors but he lacked conviction and was denied by Edsel Scott as the game remained scoreless.

The introduction of former Waterhouse player Weston Forrest by Alvin Shaw saw an improvement in the midfield play of the hosts as they gained the upper hand in the game.

Hughan Gray who has been deadly in dead ball situations for Waterhouse this season, hit a curler from 25 yards but the veteran Scott was equal to the task.

The game appeared to heading for a draw as neither team created enough clear goal scoring opportunities but the Forrest substitution would prove to be a stroke of genius by Shaw.

The midfielder recovered the ball close to the Waterhouse goal area and let fly with a booming effort that took a deflection before flying into the roof of the net pass a hapless Kelso Cousins in the 90th minute of play to break the hearts of his former teammates.

Shaw was not surprised that his team was able to claim all three points, stating, “We prepared intensely for this game. We had plans and the players executed them very well.”

He also credited discipline for the upward movement of the club.

“The players have become a disciplined bunch. They are working hard in training and it is paying off in games. This win will definitely be encouragement for us and it is a great way to start the New Year.”

Anthony Patrick is not overly worried despite his team’s loss of form and believes that they will soon experience a turnaround in fortunes.

“We have a lot of injuries at the moment but the youngsters gave a good account of themselves today. We didn’t manage the game well enough at the end and conceded in the final minute and that cost us today. We expect to have everybody back by the end of January or early February and things should get back to normal by then.”

With the loss Waterhouse slipped to fourth position as they remain on 28 points and have been joined by the fifth place Rivoli United who recorded their fourth straight win with a 1-0 result over struggling Reno.

Reno remains in 11th on 15 points tied with bottom place Barbican who held leaders Montego Bay United 0-0 at Wespow Park. Mobay continue to lead the league but only by a single point and could be passed by Arnett Gardens who host Boys Town in the Monday Night game at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex starting at 9:00.

Donovan Duckie had his first official win with Humble Lion when they defeated Sporting Central 2-0 in the
Clarendon Derby at the Effortville Centre. Humble Lion remain in 9th position but has closed the gap on Sporting, who lead them by one with twenty points.