By Raymond Graham, Freelance Writer 
Tivoli's Christopher Nicholas (partly hidden, far right) scores as Village's goalkeeper Elvis Hart and defender Teofore Bennett scramble to save during yesterday's National Premier League match at Railway Oval. Team-mates Mark Williams (second left) and Devington Russell (second right) look on. The match ended 1-1. - Michael Sloley /Freelance Photographer
LEADERS HAZARD continued their excellent form in this year's Wray & Nephew Premier League as they made it five wins in a row at the Spanish Town Prison Oval yesterday with an exciting 3-2 win over Rivoli.
In one of the most exciting matches played recently at the Prison Oval, both teams entertained the large gathering with end-to-end action, but it was the Lenworth Hyde-coached Hazard that came from behind twice to snatch victory and move to 15 points.
At Harbour View, the home team whipped Waterhouse 4-2 to grab second spot with 13 points.
In Spanish Town, the game started at a hectic pace with good end-to-end action. However, it was the home team that drew first blood in the 16th minute following a good build-up between Omar Cummings, captain Patrick Beech and Ray Graham. Beech made a run on the right flank and made a good cross inside the 18-yard box and Graham scored with a beautiful diving header.
The goal seemed to bring out the best from Hazard as they took control, especially in midfield. With the ever running Kirk Ramsay, Andrew Morrison and Roen Nelson combining well to put pressure on their opponents, it was no surprise when they drew level in the 22nd minute of play. Nelson chipped a ball over the head of the advancing goalkeeper Dennis Clayton to score his first goal of the match. Five minutes later, Hazard should have taken the lead but Nelson missed from close range as the half ended 1-1.
Like they did at the start, it was Rivoli that went in front again as with the second half just four minutes old, veteran Wayne Palmer combined well with the impressive Cummings, Beech and Graham. Graham, who dribbled around the goalkeeper, was brought down and from the resulting penalty, Shawn Simpson scored from the spot.
However, the strength of Hazard's bench was shown for the remainder of the game as with the introduction of Kemel and Woolery Wolfe, along with Kevin Deer, Hazard looked the fitter team, putting the Rivoli defence under severe pressure as centre-half Christopher Dawes, along with Miguel Perril and Keno Morgan, had to work overtime.
It was brilliant keeping and poor finishing from Hazard which kept the home team in the game, with Ramsay missing from close range. Goalkeeper Clayton brought off the save of the match when Woolery Wolfe's spectacular 35-metre shot was tipped over the crossbar. This save by Clayton may have cost the Rivoli team as for the remainder of the match he was immobile.
Two quick goals in the final 10 minutes then handed Hazard the lead. First a deflection from a kick by Kemel Wolfe in the 84th minute and a free kick over the head of the Rivoli defenders in the 87th minute by Nelson for his second goal of the match.
Coach Hyde was very elated with his team's victory. "Despite being behind twice we were always confident of victory."
Hyde was, however, disappointed with a tackle by defender Christopher Dawes on Tyrone Sawyers in the final five minutes. The latter had to leave the field with a suspected broken leg.
"I think the tackle by Dawes was unwarranted and he should have been given a red card. This is the only incident that marred a good game," said Hyde.
A dejected Harold Thomas said: "We cannot afford to make simple mistakes like these and win matches and we have to go back to the drawing board."
AT RAILWAY OVAL Village United came from behind to hold Tivoli Gardens to a 1-1 draw in an exciting Wray & Nephew National Premier League match at Railway Oval yesterday.
The Geoffrey Maxwell-coached Tivoli made the breakthrough in the 60th minute when Christopher Nicholas converted a brilliant move which involved some seven players.
Steve Green made the initial pass, as the ball, despite attempts by the Village defenders to divert it, made its way down to Denroy Gordon on the left. The latter then floated a cross to Layton Barrett whose shot found Nicholas, who capitalised on the rebound.
Village soon introduced Thomas Grant and Shane Crawford on the field and the duo made an immediate impact. Seven minutes after he came on, Crawford scored with a scorching free kick which took a slight deflection before beating a diving Edsel Scott in goal for Tivoli.
Maxwell, who did a short stint as coach of Village last season, said Tivoli gave the game away.
"I counted at least five easy chances in the first half and at least three in the second half so I think we should have won. We did very well, particularly in the first half but we gave the game away.
"We scored a good goal in terms of fight but we let Village off with their goal," he said.
Village's coach, Edwin Alcock, was satisfied with the result.
"We played in patches but we got back our composure in the second half when those two games went on the field. We were fortunate to get a draw so I'm comfortable with the result.
"I had asked that they work for free kicks because we have players like Crawford who can score that way, so we worked on that for three days. As luck would have it that's how we got our goal, so I won't complain," he said.
Village are currently third behind leaders Hazard in the point standings and are yet to lose a game having won three and drawn three.
Yesterday's game according to the team's captain Mark Williams was a test in more ways than one.
"We were playing away from home so there was pressure on us to perform and we were also playing against the team that is being coached by our former coach so we had to prove that we learnt something.
"It was difficult because of the (muddy and slippery) conditions but we adjusted well. We weren't too concerned when Tivoli scored. We just focused on our game because we have big things planned this season," Williams said.
