Village United and Tivoli Gardens played to an exciting 1-1 draw in their Wray & Nephew National Premier League game at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex yesterday.

Tivoli dominated the first half and created numerous scoring opportunities but failed to capitalise against a very weak Village defensive unit.

Jermaine Taylor, Jameel Thompson and Orane Simpson all missed clear scoring chances.

Village's best chance fell to Dervon Clarke but his effort was just wide of the target.

In the second half, Village's coach Cassman Williams made a number of adjustments to his midfield which paid off when Newton Sterling put them in front with a penalty kick at the 60th minute, after substitute Luke Tate was brought down inside the 18-yard box.

STRAIGHT RED CARD

Ten minutes later, Tivoli's situation got worse when midfielder Steve Green was shown a straight red card for insulting referee Kevin Thomas.

Green was awarded a foul after being brought down. Apparently, he thought the player should have been penalised with a card and launched a tirade against the referee, who pleaded with him to "calm down".

Green, though, continued to prolong the argument and basically left the official with no choice but to eject him.

Despite that, Tivoli continued to fight and secured a point with a goal at the death.

One minute from time, captain Fabian Davis gave Tivoli the equaliser with a spectacular 35-yard right-foot shot which went like a rocket over the head of goalkeeper Leighton Murray.

As a matter of fact, Tivoli should have taken all three points as in time added, the unmarked Taylor got a 'gift', but, with the gaping goal at his mercy, he headed the ball on to the crossbar.

"Well, I am a bit disappointed because we played well up to the point we scored our goal," said Williams. "Our main downfall was after we scored our player relaxed a bit and allowed our opponents to come at us."

Calvert Fizgerald, coach of Tivoli, said: "I am very disappointed because we created a lot of chances which we should have converted and playing at home we needed these three points.

"I think that we dominated the final 10 minutes but our finishing was just off today," added Fitzgerald.

Tivoli Gardens 1

Fabian Davis (89th minute)

Village United 1

Newton Sterling (60th minute)

- R. B.