Boyd's double pushes Tivoli closer to title

Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

Leaders Tivoli Gardens, behind a double strike by the prolific Navion Boyd, started the final round of the 2010-11 Digicel Premier League on a winning note yesterday afternoon, scoring a come from behind 3-1 win over Village United in their 'elite' group fixture at the Ellitson Wakeland Youth Centre in Falmouth.

Village took the lead from the penalty spot through skipper Troy Smith, but Tivoli Gardens came storming back to snatch victory through goals from Boyd and Jameel Thompson. All the goals were scored in the first half.

"Our main objective today was to get all three points because once we did that the results of the other games would not affect our lead in the competition," said Tivoli's head coach, Glendon 'Admiral' Bailey.

"We expected a tough game and it was a tough game, but we did what we had to do," he added.

With only four rounds remaining, Tivoli moved up to 64 points, five ahead of second-placed Boys' Town, which beat Harbour View 2-1. Village remain bottom of the 'elite' group with 43 points.

The game started at a brisk pace with good end to end action. The first chance fell to Tivoli in the sixth minute when Boyd got a good break on the right side, but fired straight at the goalkeeper, much to the dismay of his teammates.

With Village coming into their own and looking to take control, they were awarded a penalty in the 15th minute when Leon Irving was pulled down in the penalty area. Skipper Troy Smith calmly slotted past goalkeeper Edsel Scott, making the score 1-0.

Finding themselves behind, the Tivoli team went into overdrive and were rewarded in the 23rd minute. With the Village defence in disarray, Thompson got a clear header deep inside the goal area and made no mistake, making the score 1-1.

boyd's quick score

With momentum now in their favour and Village looking unsure in defence, Tivoli took the lead in the 40th minute. The Village United goalkeeper blocked a shot into the path of Boyd, who calmly took possession and slotted home, making the score 2-1.

Boyd was again on target in the 43rd minute when he won possession near the half line and raced away from several chasing defenders before gliding around the goalkeeper and firing home, making the half-time score 3-1.

Village started the second half looking purposeful and came close to pulling back a goal in the 56th minute. Troy Smith unleashed a superb strike, but he was denied by a superb save by goalkeeper Edsel Scott.

Mid-way the half, Village had much the better of the possession, but they were kept in check by the Tivoli defence, who shielded most of the action away from the goalkeeper.

With time running out in the game, Tivoli again took control and Keammar Daley should have scored in the 86th minute. He got away before the goal, but his well struck shot was well blocked by the goalkeeper.

On the stroke of full-time, the limping Boyd just missed his hat-trick when he got away before the goal, but fired straight at the goalkeeper. The rebound came back to him, but was struck over the crossbar.