Cavalier hold Rivoli to home draw
RIVOLI UNITED and Cavalier finished in a 1-1 draw in the opening round in the Magnum/JB Charley/Jamaica Football Federation Premiership play-off at Prison Oval in Spanish Town yesterday.
The home side, Rivoli, ended the game with 10 players as Jeremy Nelson was issued a red card in the 50th minute by FIFA referee Kevin Morrison for violent conduct.
Dan Reid sent Rivoli into the lead when he slotted past Cavalier's custodian Jeadine White in the 15th minute. However, Cavalier equalised from a good build-up play. St George's College schoolboy star Alex Marshall played a ball down the right flank to former Under-17 World Cup representative Oshane Jenkins, who made a pinpoint cross to Swayne Thomas, who headed past Shannon Bartley in the 23rd minute.
Both teams created chances but failed to add to the scoreline. Rivoli started off the game well and scored early. But Cavalier came back.
The result means that Cavalier and Rivoli are on top in the play-off as in the other game, Sandals South Coast and Priory finished 0-0 at Drax Hall in St Ann.
Cavalier SC head coach Rudolph Speid was satisfied with the point gained in the road.
“We missed several regular starters due to different reasons. But a point on the road is a good start for the teams,” Speid told The Gleaner.
HUMID CONDITIONS
“I must say the humid conditions affected the team and made it difficult for the players. Young Kaheem Parris came off the bench and fitted in. Now, we are looking forward to the next game at home against Priory," he shared.
Coach of Rivoli Anthony Thompson was also satisfied with the point as his team played most of the second half with 10 players.
“It is a good result. We wanted to win at home but got a red card, and that made a difference. It was a poor performance as we got clear chances. We will look to correct that in the next game,” Thompson said.
“We went down to 10 players, so in the end a point is good. We scored a great goal and gave up a soft one,” he explained.
The play-offs continue on Wednesday with two games. Cavalier will host Priory at Stadium East Complex and Sandals South Coast play against Rivoli United in Westmoreland. Both games start at 3:30 p.m.
YESTERDAY'S RESULTS
Rivoli United 1 Cavalier SC 1 Priory SA 0 Sandals South Coast 0