Garden party ends in stalemate

Mickel Graham’s 88th-minute strike earned hosts Tivoli Gardens a share of the points in the ‘Clash of the Gardens’ against Arnett Gardens in their Legend Jamaica Premier League (LJPL) encounter at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex yesterday.

Arnett dominated for much of the contest but had only a Barrington Pryce own goal in the 67th minute to show for their efforts.

However, after failing to put the game beyond reach, they were made to pay as Tivoli surged back in the closing stages and secured a point through Graham’s late equaliser.

“It’s derby day, and for the coaching staff it is our first derby and we wanted to stay true to ourselves and keep our identity. Unfortunately, for the first half we were a little bit slow, lethargic, and the movement just wasn’t right,” said Tivoli assistant coach Delano Campbell.

“Credit to the opponents. They put in a good shift and let us work hard, but defensively we were sloppy. We let ourselves down again.

“We have been conceding these goals, but credit to the subs. They came in and gave us that extra energy and I think we deserved a point,” he added.

Arnett were far superior in the opening 45 minutes, creating numerous chances but failing to capitalise.

Kelson had the first clear opportunity but blasted wide, before Giovanni Taylor dragged another good chance off target.

Jamone Shepherd squandered Arnett’s best opening when he won possession from Pryce but failed to beat Nicholas Clarke in goal.

Tivoli also had their moments, with Rushane Thompson and Joshua Dewar both going close.

Taylor then lobbed an effort wide in the 36th minute after spotting Clarke off his line.

Kelson and Revaldo Mitchell also failed to make the most of good opportunities for Arnett, while Dewar forced a save from Jaedine White at the other end.

Taylor, who has been in fine goalscoring form this season, should have given Arnett the lead in first-half stoppage time but failed to turn home Tarique Jones’ excellent cross from close range.

Arnett continued to dominate at the start of the second half and eventually broke the deadlock in the 67th minute when Pryce turned a cross into his own net.

However, Tivoli enjoyed two strong periods after conceding and again in the final 10 minutes, and found the equaliser with two minutes remaining when Graham evaded his marker on the edge of the box and drilled a low shot beyond White.

Despite creating enough chances to put the game away in the first half, Arnett Gardens coach Marvel Gayle said a derby can often produce an unpredictable outcome.

“Such is the game. It is a derby and we expected this. Sometimes derbies go 1-1, 1-0, 6-0, 6-1, but I think my team maintained its objective.

“It is just unfortunate we lost concentration in a crucial moment when we should have stayed compact and stayed a little more disciplined.

“To concede that goal in that late hour is almost criminal. It has been our Achilles heel all season and we have to concentrate for those periods,” he said.

Tivoli remained fifth in the standings on 12 points, while Arnett moved up one place to seventh on nine.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com