Wellington steps up for TG in Red Stripe Premier League

Tivoli Gardens scored another massive victory to pull further away from the relegation zone, scoring a 1-0 win over Portmore United at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex yesterday.

Rodico Wellington netted the game's only goal from the penalty spot on 24 minutes to lift the West Kingston team to 32 points.

Portmore ended the game with 10 players as Omar Daley was red-carded at the 41st minute.

The goal was Wellington's third of the season and the former Denham Town High School Manning Cup player, who is in his third Premier League season, says he is looking to fill the boots of Junior Flemmings, the club's leading scorer this season, who left the island for an overseas contract recently.

"I have taken over from Junior Flemmings because he has gone away on contract, so I told myself that I have to come out and do it for him. This is my third season and I feel I have found my footing (in league). My aim was 10 (goals) at the start of the season and right now I am at three, but I still think I can reach that amount," he told The Gleaner.

"Mr Bailey (coach Glendon) has given us more fitness and a mentality when we go into games to not lose. He has built my confidence a lot and that gives me the courage to go out and work hard and execute and we can make the top four. We just have to work hard and have the mindset to make the top four," he said.

FIRST-HALF PENALTY

The home team was better in the first half, and 24 minutes into the contest, Tivoli were awarded a penalty and Wellington fired past Shaven Sean Paul to give the hosts the lead.

Portmore's troubles were made worse four minutes before the break when captain Omar Daley received a second yellow card for insulting and verbally abusing the match referee.

The defeat was the fourth in six games for Portmore, which is of some concern for assistant coach Jeffrey Hewitt, with the play-offs fast approaching.

"This (defeat) will have a psychological impact. Our form is of some concern and we are trying to work on it. We thought the poor run was gone after four points from two games. But, today, we lost and we had to get the result and we didn't get it," he said.

Tivoli's assistant coach Damian Gordon said they are not out of the woods as yet.

"We have to take it on a game-by-game situation. We have to look at the teams below us, so we have to keep on winning points," he said.

Yesterday's Results

Tivoli 1 Portmore 0

UWI FC 1 MoBay United 1

Reno FC 1 Humble Lion 1

Cavalier 0 Boys' Town 0

Today's game

9 p.m. Harbour View vs Rivoli United at Harbour View Mini Stadium