Tivoli's captain, midfielder Steve Green (right) dribbles away from Reno defender Niron Davis during a National Premier League match between the two teams at Railway Oval yesterday. The match ended 2-2. RENO kept the lead of the National Premier League yesterday as they held Tivoli Gardens to a 2-2 at Railway Oval while Waterhouse failed to capitalise on Reno's slip as they were shocked 2-0 by the previously winless Hazard United at Ferdie Neita Park.
The Westmoreland team now have 13 points, two above Tivoli Gardens who joined Waterhouse on 11 points but inch ahead of them on goal difference. Harbour View are in fourth position following their handsome 4-1 victory over Arnett Gardens at Tony Spaulding Sports Complex.
Below Harbour View are Constant Spring who also have 10 points but an inferior goal difference. They whipped Olympic Gardens 5-0 at Constant Spring to keep them rooted at the bottom of the table with two points.
At Railway Oval Reno came from behind twice to earn their draw. Jermaine Johson gave his team the lead in the 31st minute with a blast past Aaron Lawrence. Derval Frazer equalised in the 49th minute.
Substitute Raymond Smith put his team ahead again in the 80th minute before Craig Gordon levelled the scoring in the 89th minute.
Tivoli Gardens started out the stronger team using their individual skills and the speed of Jermaine Johnson to good effect. The speedy Johnson had chances in the fourth and the 11th minute both of which he missed.
Johnson soon broke the deadlock. The explosive player won a challenge with Aldane Bailey just inside the Reno half and headed for goal. On his way he got rid of Favian Johnson before entering the 18-yard box where he gave Jeffrey Foster a dancing lesson then blasted past Lawrence from an acute angle.
Tivoli dominated the first half but the second half was a different picture as Reno came out on fire. Within two minutes goalkeeper Edsel Scott was backpedalling to save a freekick.
Two minutes later though he was not as lucky. The industry of national player Steve Malcolm was responsible for the goal. He hassled the Tivoli backline until the ball broke lose for Derval Frazer who scored a spectacular goal, curling a shot inside the right upright to leave Scott well beaten.
Smith then put Tivoli ahead when he fired a dipping shot inside the left upright.
Smith was not to be the match-winner however as Gordon fired back a rebound on goal which another substitute Michael Graham ducked under to deceive the defence as the ball hit the back of the net.
After the game Reno Coach Wendell Downswell was pleased man. He gave credit to the technical staff for the work done and thanked the fans who journeyed to Kingston for the game.
"I think overall the team has shown character and tenacity and these are key things. We were down on both occasions and fought back and this is a good sign for the team. I am pretty happy with the result. We came here and we knew we up against Tivoli a very offensive team and we stood up to them," he said.
Allie McNab was disappointed as he felt his team did not take their chances. "Well we did not take advantage of Waterhouse's slip up. The point is that goals win matches as I have always said."
By Nodley Wright
Staff Reporter
Tivoli Gardens 2 Reno 2
Constant Spring 5 Olympic 0
Waterhouse 0 Hazard 2
Arnett Gardens 1 Harbour View 4
Wadadah 3 Seba 1
