JPL: 10-man Humble Lion clip Tivoli 2-1
Published:Tuesday | March 28, 2023 | 1:28 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
Despite losing their captain Andrew Vanzie to a second-half red card, Humble Lion clipped Tivoli Gardens 2-1 in their Jamaica Premier League (JPL) match at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex last night.
Vanzie saw red in the 60th minute when he reacted with a rash tackle after he thought he was fouled by an opponent.
The veteran midfielder also had a similar incident in the first half, for which he was yellow-carded.
Humble Lion coach Andrew Price thought the red card was a bit harsh for his captain.
“It is very disappointing. I think it was an innocuous tackle. The play should have been stopped earlier for a foul but the play went on and Vanzie went for the tackle.
“I wouldn’t have given a card but sometimes the referees get it right and sometimes they get it wrong,” he said.
Nevertheless, he thought the leadership of his senior players and the resilience of his team deserved credit on the night
“The experience we have in people like Xavian Virgo, Andre Clennon, Keneil Hyde, Levaughn Williams, they have been playing premier league for a long time and they need to guide the young players and I think they did that admirably. We fought and it was not a pretty win but sometimes you have to do it the ugly way,” he added.
In a physical affair both teams got a good chance in the opening moments of the first half.
However, it was Humble Lion who struck first when Shamari Dallas volleyed home from 12 yards.
Tivoli were undaunted after falling behind and in the 33rd minute Alton Lewis equalised with a vicous volley past Prince-Daniel Smith in goal.
After the break Humble Lion fell to 10 men when Vanzie decided to react after not getting a call.
However, Humble Lion weathered a host of attacks from Tivoli before Levaughn Williams struck on a quick counter in the 76th minute.
The Clarendon team managed the game well afterwards with Hyde, Williams and Virgo ensuring that their team left the venue with three points.
“After they went down to 10 men, we went away from our game plan and throwing away so many goals cost us in the end. It was very disappointing losing the game,” said Tivoli assistant coach Dwayne Blake.
Humble Lion climbed to fifth in the standings with 33 points. Tivoli are nine points clear of relegation and although it is their first loss in three matches; they have not won in eight games.