Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter
Tivoli Garden's Horace Howell (left) controls the ball ahead of Boys' Town's Wayne Ellis in the Cash Plus Premier League at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex yesterday. Boys' Town won 2-1. Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
Two quick goals by ace forward George Vernal led Boys' Town to a 2-1 win over hosts Tivoli Gardens at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex in the Cash Plus Premier League (CPPL) yesterday. The win was the first for the Red Brigade at the venue since their return to the top flight in 2004.
"I told the guys they would have to make a little bit of history today if we were going to keep ourselves in contention for the title," said Boys' Town coach Andrew Price.
Vernal must have being listening, as his 51st-minute free kick certainly looked to be one for the record books. When teammate Denzil Watson was brought down just outside the area, Vernal stepped up to rocket a viciously struck effort, which Tivoli keeper Damion Crooks didn't seem to get a glimpse of until it was safely nestled in the top right corner of the goal. Less than a minute later, Vernal was on target again, this time extending his right boot to guide home a poorly attempted effort to punch away by Crooks.
"We soaked up some pressure in the first half but I told the players to press higher in the second half, we got the goals and it was about consolidating after that. Our aim is to win all the matches we have left. We have to treat all of them like a cup final," Price said.
Wide of goal
In a first half which they dominated, Tivoli should have been ahead on a number of occasions. Streaking away on the counter, Sheldon Palmer picked out Roland Dean on the left flank. However, Dean's 28th-minute cross was booted wide of goal by a sliding Horace Howell.
Christopher Jackson saw his fiercely struck free kick off the right flank punched away at the near post by Boys' Town keeper Kirk Porter, while Palmer saw a follow-up effort from a failed Dean scissors kick trickle past goal in the 40th minute.
In a furious spell of football, which came after Tivoli found themselves two goals behind, Kevin Blackford was able to boot a follow-up attempt just inside the 18-yard area, into the back of the net, after an initial shot from Palmer came in his direction. Blackford could, however, not get enough power on a 80th-minute header.
"We just didn't take our chances today, they got two and they made use of it, that's just how the games goes," said Tivoli coach Desmond Francis.
"Whenever you don't put away your chances, you are going to have problems, we'll just have to keep fighting," he said. The loss saw Tivoli Gardens fail to make up any ground on leaders Portmore remaining second on 56, Boys' Town remain third on 47.
Kevin Blackford 63rd
George Vernal 51st, 52nd
