Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Roland Dean of Tivoli Gardens (left) controls the ball ahead of Boys' Town's Xavian Virgo during their National Premier League match at Collie Smith Drive yesterday. The game ended in a 2-2 draw. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

Tivoli 2

(Fabian Davis 28th, Nicholas McCreath 63rd)

Boys' Town 2

(Michael Campbell 19th, Oneil Thompson 69th)

Tivoli Gardens and Boys' Town played to an exciting 2-2 draw in their opening game of the 2006-2007 National Premier League (NPL) at Collie Smith Drive yesterday.

Playing in front of a capacity crowd, the Red Bridgade went in front in the 19th minute when captain Michael Campbell latched on to a cross from teammate George Vernal to score from close range.

Tivoli's captain, Fabian Davis, silenced the crowd in the 28th minute when he headed home a well-placed cross from Oraine Simpson to give his team the equaliser.

Tivoli looked the better team early in the second half and were rewarded in the 63rd minute when Nicholas McCreath volleyed home a beautiful right-footed shot.

Boys' Town were back in the game in the 69th minute when Oneil Thompson ran by two Tivoli defenders to blast home the equaliser with a thunderous right-footed shot that flew past goalkeeper Leon Gordon. Thompson was at it again in the 80th minute but his long-range effort was spectacularly saved by goalkeeper Gordon, diving to his left.

Tivoli's Derrick Planter also came close to scoring in the dying moments but his shot was tipped over the cross bar by goal keeper Kirk Porter.