'Admiral' delivers Tivoli Gardens win - Coach credits team's 'courage' after come-from-behind result

The Glendon 'Admiral' Bailey effect was felt right away on the Tivoli Gardens bench.

Bailey, who previously won two titles with Tivoli Gardens, returned to lead the struggling team to a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Rivoli United in the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex yesterday.

It's a return and a result that has left the Tivoli Gardens faithful a lot more confident in their belief that their team will avoid relegation after what has been a very disappointing season so far.

The fixture was originally rescheduled after being abandoned due to a sewage-logged field.

Things didn't start too well for the hosts and it looked at, one point, to be heading towards another undesired result when Rivoli right back Kevin Graham slipped unmarked through the Tivoli Gardens defence to spank home the visitors' opener with nine minutes on the clock.

SHOTS ON GOAL

Rivoli enjoyed much of the early exchanges and certainly dominated the scoring chances from open play, while Tivoli Gardens were left to scrap off half chances and dead ball situations.

The visitors almost doubled their lead, when from one of their many counter-attacks Nicholas Scott was dragged down in the penalty area by Tivoli's Shavar Campbell as Rivoli continued to threaten.

Campbell had to pay the price of a yellow card, but Jeremy Nelson's ensuing penalty kick miss in what was the 39th minute spared both Campbell and his team any further setbacks.

A few rolls of the die by the Tivoli Gardens bench saw Jamaica College standout Donovan Dawkins being replaced by the experienced Jermaine 'Teddy' Johnson, and the return was almost immediate as the hosts regained some attacking flair in the second half.

Tivoli Gardens dominated the contest from this point and Andrew Christie brought them level in the 58th minute after heading home from point blank range.

The winner also came from a header as captain Andre Morgan punched home the vital strike in the 88th minute to send the home crowd in a frenzy.

In his first game back in charge, Bailey said: "In the second half, I think we showed guts and courage and the mentality that it takes in order to come out of relegation, so I am pleased with that aspect."

"There is a lot of work to be done. I am not promising anybody anything but I am just trying my best to ensure that the end of the season we will be in the league. I only can try," Bailey told The Gleaner.

Meanwhile, Rivoli United's assistant Bradley Stewart blamed "poor officiating" for his team's loss.

Tivoli moved out of the relegation zone, to 10th place on 23 points, after leapfrogging Rivoli (22), and Waterhouse FC (21).