Ellis scores for Mom
Published:Tuesday | May 14, 2013 | 12:00 AM
Ryon Jones, Staff Reporter
Mothers across the world came in for special recognition on Sunday as the matriarch of the home was celebrated. This was not lost on the mind of at least one Red Stripe Premier League player, as Boys' Town's captain for their ultimate match of the season, Wayne Ellis, delivered on a promise to his mother: to score a goal for her.
Ellis' third goal of the season helped his team to a 2-1 win over Tivoli Gardens in their west Kingston derby meeting at Edward Seaga Sports Complex.
Keammar Daley opened the scoring for Tivoli Gardens in the 36th minute.
The Red Brigade struck back in the second half through goals from Ellis (58th) and Marvin Stewart (81st).
Tivoli's Navion Boyd missed a penalty at the fourth minute.
"I told my teammates 'let's do this for mommy. Even if you don't give your mother a present let us do something for her' and I wanted to give my mother a goal for Mother's Day," 30-year-old Ellis told The Gleaner.
At the salon
Ellis' mother was not on hand to see her son head home from close range, as she was said to be at the salon getting ready for dinner with her seven boys later in the evening.
"As I got into the changing room I got a call from her saying 'son you really scored for me'," Ellis revealed.
The win, which was Boys' Town's first in seven games, could not take them above fifth in the 12-team standings, with 57 points - their worst placing in six seasons.
"We are really pleased with getting three points in the ultimate game," Boys' Town's stand in coach for the game, Perry Bartley, said. "I think the players kind of lost focus in the latter stage hence why we finished fifth. But we are also in a rebuilding phase, so we have to just move on from here."
Tivoli Gardens were suffering their sixth-consecutive win on the trot to end at the foot of the top-six standings with 50 points. Their position was the Glendon 'Admiral' Bailey coached unit's worst in over seven seasons.
"We are not used to finishing in this position, and we have also ended on a bad note, but I think the club has a bright future," Tivoli's assistant coach, Alvin Shaw, disclosed. "We have a very young set of guys and this year was all about gaining experience for them, and I expect them to perform well next year.
"There are a few areas that we are going to strengthen as well and coach Bailey and I have been discussing that already, as our target next year is to definitely win the trophy."