Ten-man Vere hold Tivoli to 0-0 draw
Published:Tuesday | February 14, 2023 | 1:20 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
Vere United may still have problems in the attack but even with 10 men, they preserved their recent unbeaten form in the Jamaica Premier League as they continue to steer clear from relegation.
The Clarendon-based team frustrated Tivoli Gardens in their 0-0 draw yesterday at the Ashenheim Stadium showing their defensive steel and earning their seventh clean sheet of the season.
The play was far from perfect, especially when Alwin Strachan was dismissed in the 52nd minute leaving Vere short-handed to thwart the Tivoli onslaught. But Vere assistant coach Jermaine Douglas was heartened by how resolute their defending was.
“I think grateful is the more appropriate word. We came here for three points but circumstances changed in the first seven minutes of the second half. We had to change our approach and consolidate, hoping we could get something on the break,” Douglas said.
Despite still finding goals hard to come by, Douglas said that the foundation that they have built have fuelled their recent unbeaten run, which for him gives them confidence in mounting a late surge.
“We are confident in our defensive unit. They have been doing well all season. Of late we have been grinding out results. You need a foundation from which to build. If you know that you are solid at the back, it will give your attacking players more freedom to go forward,” Douglas said.
Meanwhile, despite creating the most chances they have had all season, Tivoli Gardens coach Dwayne Blake was left frustrated at the indecision of his players, which saw multiple chances to win the game squandered.
“That is definitely what we have to work on, the decision-making in front of the goal. From the start of the season we seem to shoot when we should pass and pass when we should shoot,” Blake said.
While anticipating the rigid style of play from Vere United, Blake was left to rue their lack of quality in the final third seeing their chances to vault into the top six dashed.
“We expected this but we are disappointed in how it turned out. Tonight’s was one of the games that we created the most chances for the entire season and it is disappointing to leave here with just one point,” Blake said.
Vere remain in 12th place but move to 14 points while Tivoli Gardens are now tied with Montego Bay United on 17 points in ninth spot in the 14-team league.