Nelson's four cripples Tivoli
published: Monday | March 3, 2008
Ainsley Walters, Freelance Reporter
Portmore United's Roen Nelson (left) jumps and punches the air, as he celebrates one of his four goals against Tivoli Gardens with teammates Omar Campbell (centre) and Anthony Bennett, during the Cash Plus Premier League match at the Edward Seaga Stadium yesterday. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer
ROEN NELSON netted four exquisite goals yesterday evening to hand Portmore United a 4-2 win over Tivoli Gardens at the Edward Seaga Stadium, knocking their rivals from atop the Cash Plus Premier League standings.
Portmore's win pushed them to 47, one ahead of Tivoli with 46.
Roland Dean scored a peach of a goal in the 10th minute, lifting a pass over Shawn Sawyers from the top of the box to send Tivoli ahead.
However, the cheering home fans had no idea what was in store for their team, which started the day two points clear of Portmore at the top of the table.
Nelson, who made his local debut with four goals against August Town in the second round after starring for Trinidad and Tobago's Joe Public, stunned Tivoli with another four-timer, starting his goal-spree in the 14th minute before opening up the throttle in the 43rd, 65th and 71st minutes as his team raced to a 4-1 lead.
Nelson, who holds the local Premiership record of most goals in a season, was at his clinical best for Portmore, who had seven regular starters away for a national camp in Brazil.
His first goal was the perfect back post shot from outside the box, 23 yards on the right flank, rifling the ball low and hard across Tivoli goalie Damion Crooks, whose dive was more for show than an attempt to save.
He made it 2-1 off a firm square from Ryan Powell, turning the wing-back's pass with a one-time shot past Crooks from inside the box.
Nelson's last two goals were contrasting ones as he dribbled away from two Tivoli defenders before burying a low but hard shot inside Crooks' near post in the 65th and had an easy tap-in from 12 yards off Anthony Bennett's right-side cross six minutes later.
Substitute Jermaine Grey netted a long-range beauty for Tivoli's second goal in the 90th minute, but home fans had already started scampering from the ground after Nelson's fourth strike.
Portmore coach Linval Dixon said his team proved themselves.
"We were pretty much confident as we believed in ourselves. The remaining players were anxious and willing. They came and proved themselves today. We basically proved we are the best team up there."
