Charlie Smith leave it late to stun Tivoli
Published:Saturday | October 15, 2022 | 12:08 AM
For the majority of the second half, Tivoli High had Charlie Smith High on the ropes but somehow could not profit in another fiercely contested battle.
It would prove costly as Charlie Smith managed to land the knockout blow in the waning moments for community bragging rights, winning 1-0 in their ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup Group C game at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex yesterday.
Raequan Stoney got the game-winner in the 88th minute as Charlie Smith managed to survive being under pressure by Tivoli throughout the second half, to the relief and satisfaction of head coach Eugene Williams who is closing in on their objective to proceed to the second round as Group C winners.
Their first meeting last month finished 2-2 where Tivoli had to mount a comeback to salvage a point. While equally pleased with his team’s resilience, it was a game that Williams found it a joy to be a part of.
“We didn’t get knocked down. We were still in the game because it was end-to-end action. My guys pulled it off but congratulations to both teams because the action was (great). Trust me, I enjoyed this game,” Williams told The Gleaner.
While he was expecting another fierce contest, Williams said that what was different from their first meeting was how the opposition played with more conviction.
“They (Tivoli) were more confident going forward and coming to Arnett Gardens where you are playing on a lush field like this, you are going to get a good game,” Williams said.
For Tivoli, it is a microcosm of what has been their 2022 season, great performances that have not been reflected in the results. Head coach Christopher Nicholson was left frustrated by the lack of clinical finishing.
“We got nice attacking movement, nice defensive movements but if you don’t score, you cannot win. The same thing you saw (today) is the same thing that happened (in the last game). The only difference is we came back to draw 2-2. But it is the same result we are seeing that we are getting numerous chances and not putting them away,” Nicholson said.
Yesterday’s results
Group B
St Jago 0 Jamaica College 3
Group C
Edith Dalton James 3 Vauxhall 2
Charlie Smith 1 Tivoli 0
Group E
Hydel 2 Wolmer’s 4
Kingston High 1 Camperdown 4