Cavalier, Tivoli play out entertaining 0-0 draw
DESPITE CREATING numerous goalscoring opportunities, both Cavalier and the league’s highest scoring team Tivoli Gardens failed to convert any of their chances during yesterday’s Jamaica Premier League encounter at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex.
In the fourth minute of play Tivoli ‘s Nickalia Fuller’s left-footed thunderbolt was superbly saved by a full stretch Jaedine White. With the next possession it was Cavalier’s turn, through Jalmaro Calvin, but Tivoli’s custodian Diego Haughton was equal to the task. Calvin was again in the thick of things in the 13th minute as he got by defender Richard Brown and slammed his effort against the hands of goalkeeper Haughton. As both teams traded chances Tivoli were again denied a goal as Fuller’s free kick in the 21st minute was plucked out of the top corner by White.
In the second half, it was a similar storyline as Tivoli’s Shaquille Jones’ long range shot in the 46th minute had to be carefully handled by the Cavalier goalkeeper. The two teams then tried their best to catch each other on the counterattack. Tivoli’s Keno Simpson’s shot in the 67th minute was met with groans in the crowd as from close range he rushed his effort and it rolled wide of the intended target. The night’s last meaningful goalscoring opportunity would fall to the feet of Cavalier’s full back Gadail Irving as his overlapping run was followed up by a cracking left-footed strike which went just above the bar.
Rudolph Speid, head coach of Cavalier, stated that a number of his regular starters were absent and the chopping and changing of the team could have been a factor.
“We played without six of our regular players who are away with Jamaica under-20 and two who are on trial overseas. It’s one game at a time, the clean sheet is pleasing but I wanted better.
“We just needed a little more quality up front and with the chopping and changing the rhythm was a little bit off,” Speid stated. The draw snapped a six-game winning streak for Cavalier.
Jerome Waite, head coach of Tivoli, said that Cavalier’s goalkeeper was the difference maker.
“Both teams played fairly well as it was a highintensity game. Jaedine White I believe made the difference as he came up big on two occasions where we should have really executed. In the end I don’t believe the 0-0 draw was fair based on those chances,” Waite said.
Cavalier are third in the standings with 31 points, the same as second-place Portmore United who have a superior goal difference. Tivoli are fifth on 28. Mount Pleasant lead the league with 32 points.