Cohen, Graham on target as Vere clip Tivoli
Published:Tuesday | November 7, 2023 | 12:11 AMOrane Buchanan/Staff Reporter
THE Linval Dixon-conditioned Vere United scored their first victory of the 2023-24 Wray & Nephew-sponsored Jamaica Premier League as they defeated Tivoli Gardens 2-1 at the Stadium East field yesterday courtesy of strikes from schoolboy Dunsting Cohen in the fourth minute and a 28th volley from Suejay Graham.
Vere United, who started off brightly, got their opener with the first meaningful attack of the game as Denbigh High standout Cohen took advantage of sloppy defensive work from the Tivoli Gardens unit and calmly took the chance to put his team ahead. That lead, however, lasted just 11 minutes as Tivoli were gifted a penalty in the 15th minute which was easily converted by captain Barrington Pryce.
As Tivoli got more comfortably during the half, they missed a glorious opportunity to go up 2-1 as Anthony Nelson, from point-blank range, missed his chance as he rushed his effort in the 24th minute. That missed opportunity would prove to be costly as four minutes later Vere United’s Graham accepted his chance and slammed home in emphatic fashion with a right-footed volley.
In the second half, Vere United managed to keep their opponents at bay as their chances were few and far between. The best scoring opportunity would fall to the feet of Cohen in the 91st minute but he could only manage to send his effort wide of the far post.
Jermain Douglas, assistant coach of Vere United, stated that it is very pleasing for any coach to see their pre-game tactics work on matchday. He added that goalkeeper Rojae Williams, who was named man of the match for the second consecutive game, is growing from strength to strength.
“It is (pleasing) because the players are putting in the work on the training pitch and you’re seeing it coming out in the games and it’s a joy for any coach. He (Rojae Williams) is excellent, we (coaches) sat him down and spoke to him and I believe he’s really focused and you’ll see him get even better as the season progresses,” Douglas said.
Jerome Waite, head coach of Tivoli, said the defeat was due to self-inflicted wounds.
“In the first half we created roughly about five clear chances and if we had even put two of those away, it would been a different ball game. Today we defeated ourselves,” the veteran coach said.