Close battle for top six play-off spots

Tivoli Gardens clipped Arnett Gardens 3-2 in an exciting and competitive Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) re-scheduled encounter at the Edward Seaga Complex in west Kingston yesterday.

The win pushed the home side to 46 points, just one behind the losers in the race for the top-six play-off spots.

In another re-scheduled fixture, runaway leaders Portmore United went down 1-0 to Waterhouse at the Spanish Town Prison Oval. Former St George’s College star midfielder Cardo Benbow scored the winner for Waterhouse.

SECOND WIN

Waterhouse started the day in 10th position but jumped five places to fifth on 41 points. It was the second win in three days for the Donovan Duckie-coached team. Yesterday’s victory came close on the heels of a come-from-behind 2-1 result against relegated Sandals South Coast on Monday.

At the Edward Seaga Complex, Tivoli raced into a 2-0 lead after Elton Thompson netted in the fourth minute and Andre Moulton scored in the 36th.

But, the Jerome Waite-coached Arnett scored twice in five minutes, courtesy of veteran midfielder Renae Lloyd in the 47th and 52nd minutes, to level the score.

However, Tivoli’s new recruit Khalfane Richards came off the bench in the 75th to get the winner in injury time.

With four rounds remaining in the third and final preliminary stage, it is a close call for the qualification spots for the play-off championship round. Portmore United are only one point away from clinching the $1 million incentive for the team that finishes the preliminary stage on most points.