Alexander marks senior debut with brace
Tivoli Gardens FC beat Harbour View FC 3-1
Published:Sunday | August 8, 2021 | 12:12 AMDaniel Wheeler - Staff Reporter
IN HIS professional debut for Tivoli Gardens Football Club (FC), Asprellia Alexander justified his inclusion in the first team, as his second-half brace powered his team to a 3-1 victory over Harbour View FC at the UWI/Captain Horace Burrell Centre of Excellence yesterday.
With the game tied at 1-1 with a minute to go, the second-half substitute found the net from close range and then made the points safe with a cool finish five minutes into stoppage time.
Tivoli Gardens took the lead earlier in the 28th minute, thanks to a Kemar Flemmings penalty, before Oquassa Chong’s fifth goal of the season levelled the score for Harbour View in the 59th minute.
Tivoli Gardens’ head coach, Phillip Williams, said that Alexander’s impressive work at training during the week led to his inclusion in the first team and he was pleased with how he performed and adapted in his maiden game at this level.
“We promoted him earlier in the week, based on what we saw from him. One thing with him is that he can follow instructions in terms of tactical change. I gave him his instructions today (yesterday) and he really delivered,” Williams said.
Prove his worth
Alexander says that he is already determined to prove his worth and earn a starting role, based on his performance.
“Coach told me to come on and press the back line. I got a couple of chances and I just executed,” Alexander said. “I feel like I can start the next match. But I (have to work) on my finishing and fitness.”
Tivoli Gardens benefited from a penalty to claim the lead, after Lovel Palmer handled the ball in the box. Flemmings converted the spot kick and, from there, Tivoli put the ‘Stars of the East’ under pressure.
Harbour View’s problems were further compounded when Tarick Ximines was sent off for his second bookable offence, minutes into the second half.
Meanwhile, Molynes United FC also needed late heroics to edge Humble Lion FC 1-0 in the second half of the double-header. A Nicholas Nelson free kick in the 88th minute was enough to finally give Molynes their first win of the season.
Head coach Anthony Patrick says that a play-off berth is still not beyond them.
“We are looking at that, but, again, we are taking it game by game. The youngsters have started to express themselves more and more. That is what I want from them. Once they continue to do that, then we can continue to (get better),” Patrick said.
Despite Humble Lion losing, head coach Andrew Price said it was the most dominant performance from his team so far. However, he rued their lack of quality in the final third to reward them with a result.