A first half goal from Rodico Wellington was enough to earn Tivoli Gardens three valuable points at home, in their desperate fight against relegation in their match versus a luckless Portmore United, in the Red Stripe Premier League on Sunday.
The home team netted from the penalty spot in the 21st minute of play as a header towards goal from a corner kick by Jermaine Johnson was handled inside the box. The visitors looked to get back into the match and hit the post once in each half through Ewan Grandison’s curled shot and a deflected shot by Omar Daley from just outside the 18 yard box. Andre Morgan’s audacious overhead kick could have made it 2-0 had it been a inches lower.
Inconsistent Portmore feel the Blues in the Gardens
With only one win in their last five Premier League before this game, there was optimism around Railway Oval that Portmore may be in with a shout for second spot due to the absence of Arnett Gardens FC who is away in The Dominican Republic playing in the CFU Club Championships.
But the Clarendon based team was wasteful against the West Kingston based Tivoli Gardens FC, chalking up 15 shots in the match without managing to find the net. Only six of those were on target and they have now lost four games, two at home and two on the road in their last six.
Having had 55% possession, they could count themselves unlucky when striking the woodwork twice, but top scorer Jovan East failed to add to his 9 goals in the top flight, being well shackled by the home team’s turgid defence.
Ricardo Morris tried to exert his influence but with the opposition back line sitting deep, the Reggae Boyz invitee was made to shoot from long range.
There was a smattering of insults from the marginal traveling supporters at the final whistle, frustrated that their side failed to get back on to winning ways. This means they remain 3rd in the table 3 points behind their closest rivals Arnett Gardens.
Tivoli Gardens back to winning ways
Tivoli Gardens were camped deep in their half throughout the match, with Barrington Pryce almost at the edge of his own area. Playing on the break, only striker Rodico Wellington was left in the Portmore half.
Glendon Baileys’s side went into the game following back to back losses which had been preceded by a good run which had seen them getting the better of Rivoli, Harbour View and Waterhouse.
A disciplined display against wave after wave of Portmore attacks saw them pick up three points and climb up to 8th in the league, nine points above the drop zone.
Centre-back Barrington Pryce was the bedrock on which their clean sheet was built, thwarting the Clarendonians throughout the game.
Having lost Junior Flemming to the New York Redbulls recently, Tivoli needed the goals to be coming from someone else and Wellington’s opportunistic effort from the spot in the 21st minute gave them victory.
Man of the match – Rodico Wellington
“I am really feeling proud after scoring in the last match and came here and score the all important goal, it’s a wonderful feeling. I am stepping in for Junior Flemmings, I hope I can perform week in week out. I have scored 3 goals so far and my aim is to score ten for the season,” said an elated Wellington.
Tivoli Gardens assistant coach Damion Gordon: “it was a nerve racking game to say the least, but it was three point that we needed, we came out, we played hard and we got the deserved victory. We had the numbers after Portmore went one man down, but it’s football and they fought harder.”
Portmore United Geoffery Hewitt : “I thought we could actually get something from the game despite going down a player. I thought the team really, really showed some strength but we were unfortunate not to get that equalizer.”
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