Tivoli, Lion tie

Dave Lindo, Gleaner Writer

Defending National Premier League champions Tivoli Gardens staved off a gutsy challenge from Humble Lion by earning a nil-all draw against the May Pen-based team at the Effortville Sports Complex to maintain their unbeaten record in the competition.

Coach Lenworth Hyde Sr was evidently frustrated by his team getting yet another draw at home.

"I am disappointed, but it is a thing where we have to keep on training, continue to work hard and maybe one day it will come," said Hyde Sr. "We only created two or three chances and that is poor for a quality team.

"Defensively, we are doing well, we have about four clean sheets now, but we're just not scoring. We don't have any goalscorer in Jamaica, but we just have to work with what we have," Hyde Sr concluded.

Tivoli's coach, Glendon 'Admiral' Bailey, was pleased with his team coming away with a point.

"We're still undefeated, playing away from home coming away with a point that is always the objective," he said. "I think it was a very competitive game, I think we played with a lot of poise and a lot of urgency. The two teams played as if they wanted it. They got their chance, we got ours. The most important thing is that we didn't lose the game."

The home team pretty much dominated the first half with Cornelius Henry, Sean Coleman, Carlington 'Pulla' Smith spearheading the Lion's attacks. A neat one-two combination between Henry and Jason Wallace in the 20th minute sent Wallace clear on goal, but his hard, low shot was blocked by the Tivoli custodian Edsel Scott.

The second half saw both teams stepping up the intensity with Tivoli playing a more aggressive game. In the 60th minute, Devon Hodges got a 'sitter' in the six-yard box when a free kick was put in by Marcelino Blackburn. With the Humble Lion custodian, Philmore Crumbie, on his knees and at his mercy, Hodges kicked a tame shot which the keeper scrambled to hold on to.