Tivoli clip Seba in come-from-behind win
published: Friday | February 29, 2008
Adrian Frater, News Editor
Tivoli's Roland Dean
WESTERN BUREAU:
DESPITE LOSING first-choice goalkeeper Edsel Scott to a red card early in the second half, Tivoli Gardens managed to register a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Seba United in Wednesday night's Cash Plus Premier League match at Jarrett Park.
After seeing Seba United take an early 1-0 lead courtesy of a 14th-minute strike by Delroy Ellis, Desmond Francis-coached Tivoli Gardens rallied strongly to seal victory through goals from Roland Dean and Greig Morrison in the 19th and 66th minutes respectively.
The game plan
"The team played well to instruction today as even when it went a goal down and later when Robby (Edson Scott) was red-carded, the players did not abandon the game plan," said Francis. "I am extremely pleased with this result as it clearly shows what we can do when we apply ourselves properly," he said. After a somewhat uncertain start, Tivoli Gardens created the first chance in the third minute when Navion Boyd pounced on a cross before the goal but, after turning sweetly, he fired his shot into the path of a defender who blocked the ball.
In the first meaningful attack in the 14th- minute, Seba United took the lead.
Following a goalmouth mêlée, Daniel Rickettes flicked a pass to Ellis and he directed his close-range header into the goal.
With Seba United squandering a few half chances to extend their lead, Tivoli Gardens drew level soon after when the relentless Dean capitalised on a defensive error and cracked a savage shot past goalkeeper Jacomeno Barrett.
Good chances
Towards the end of the half, both teams created and squandered good chances. Tivoli Gardens missed a 'sitter' in the 41st minute when Morrison failed to beat goalkeeper Barrett after breaking free before the goal; and Seba United were equally disappointing in the 43rd minute when Kemar James, with a clear shot on goal, completely missed the ball.
Seba should have regained the lead in the 48th minute when Olivier Trail got away on the edge of the penalty area but fired straight at goalkeeper Scott. After Scott was red-carded in the 53rd minute for dissent, Seba again came close when substitute Kevon Grant had his close-range header blocked by Damion Crooks, who replaced Scott in the Tivoli Gardens' goal.
As the half progressed, Seba continued to look good coming out of midfield but their front line had problems penetrating the Tivoli Gardens' defence, which provided goalkeeper Crooks with quality protection. On the occasions they were breached, Crooks handled the situations well. On one of their counter-attacks, Tivoli Gardens found the Seba defence wanting as they capitalised on a defensive blunder and Morrison made no mistake, booting home easily to make the score 2-1. A minute later, they just missed widening their lead when Horace Howell was denied by a brilliant save by the goalkeeper.
In the final minute, Seba United created an opening but James fired wide, much to the disappointment of his teammates.
