Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

Keammar Daley ... scored for Meadhaven. - File

Newboys Meadhaven looked right at home in the top flight, as they held former champions Tivoli Gardens to a 1-1 draw in the opening round of the Digicel Premier League (DPL) at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex yesterday.

In fact, despite having the better of the early play, the West Kingston team, last year's runners-up, had found themselves chasing the game when Keammar Daley put the visitors in front with a spectacular goal.

Defence-splitting pass

The forward, collected Norman Bailey's defence-splitting pass from the centre of the park, before dragging the ball past a rooted Victor Thompson and blasting a 24th minute scorcher past goalkeeper Dwayne Gordon, at his near post.

Despite seeing long range efforts by Jerry Walters and a free kick from Roland Dean sail just over the crossbar in the early exchanges, Tivoli also missed out on a couple of opportunities to pull level.

Jermaine Taylor saw his close range header come back off the crossbar and bobble awkwardly for the defenders for several seconds before being cleared, while Jameel Thompson saw his close range header palmed away by Meadhaven goalkeeper Andrew Gibson.

Determined to make them pay for their wastefulness in front of goal, Daley, who looked a dangerous player throughout the encounter, very nearly made it 2-0 when speeding away on the counter-attack, cut inside of defender Dwight Heron but blasted wide of goal in the 51st minute.

A battling Tivoli Gardens would, however, pull the scores level as Dean taking the ball at the edge of the area, turned on a napping Meadhaven back line before firing a low powerful shot past their custodian Gibson.

Goal ruled offside

The west Kingston team thought they had stolen the team when substitute Kemar Mills put the ball into the back of the net in the 73rd minute, but the goal was ruled offside.

"We wanted all three points here today but it wasn't a bad result and I think the team played well and showed a lot of character after going behind," said Tivoli coach Lenworth Hyde Sr.

"We had most of the possession so it is unfortunate that we had to chase the game. Going forward we have to look at working on our finishing."

Coach of Meadhaven, Alrick Clarke, had also ambitiously eyed three points but commended the team for their performance.

"Going away with a point away from home is a good result, but we had come for the win," he said.

"I am generally happy with the performance but I think we were a bit too defensive in the second half," he said.