Rasbert Turner, Freelance Writer
Reno's Josiemar Crooks (left) challenges Rivoli's Marvin Henry in their Wray and Nephew National Premier League encounter at the Spanish Town Prison Oval yesterday. - RICARDO MAKYN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
SPANISH TOWN, St. Catherine:
TWO GOALS from David Lewis carried Rivoli to a comfortable 2-0 victory over Reno in their National Premier League match at the Spanish Town Prison Oval yesterday.
The match, which was played on a foggy Prison Oval, saw the first half end 0-0 with both teams having equal possession of the ball. The only glitch was a penalty missed by goalkeeper Aaron Lawrence after Reno's Damion Williams was brought down in the box in the 10th minute of play.
Upon resumption after half-time, the more experienced Rivoli unit took the game to Reno with fine play from Barrington Planter and Lewis. Their efforts were duly compensated after Lawrence failed to clear a loose ball from his area and an alert Lewis slotted home from close range making it 1-0 in the 50th minute.
CAPITALISING ON EXTRA ENERGY
His effort seemed to energise the Rivoli team and three minutes later, he doubled the score by collecting a pass from Planter in the 18-yard box and sending home a low left-footer that beat Lawrence to the far corner.
For the rest of the game, both teams has several opportunities to score. However, the score remained the same due to sound defending and faulty finishing by the forwards of both teams.
According to Rivoli coach Harold Thomas it was a difficult first half for his team. However, that was set to change.
"I gave certain instructions during halftime and the team played accordingly and that's how we achieved the result," Thomas said.
"The team is not at full strength due to a number of injuries. However, we do with what we have and David Lewis made the difference," he said.
Karl Palmer of Reno said that he was disappointed with the result as he thought his team had the better of the first half.
"We deserved to win and Rivoli did nothing to score the two goals. They were simple goals that could have been saved," Palmer said.
"I am thankful however for the spirit showed by the team," he said.
