Reno fumble but escape relegation

Adrian Frater, News Editor
WESTERN BUREAU:

RENO FUMBLED again on Sunday afternoon when they were beaten 2-1 by Tivoli Gardens in their penultimate game in the 2005-06 Wray & Nephew National Premier League football competition at the Frome Sports Ground, in Westmoreland.

After seeing Tivoli grab a second minute lead through Roland Dean, Reno struck back minutes later through the prolific Ricardo Scott, making the half-time score 1-1. However, Tivoli ensured themselves of all three points when Waheem Walker notched the winner early in the second half.

Despite remaining on 31 points, Reno avoided relegation as Constant Spring went down 1-0 to champions designate Waterhouse, which means that they have joined Rivoli United as the relegated teams.

LIFTED BY WIN

Tivoli's win, which lifted them to 54 points, keeps them in third place in the 12-team standings.

"We came here today expecting to do well and we basically went out there and got the job done," said Tivoli's coach Glendon 'Admiral' Bailey. "It has been a long season so we took it a little bit easy but nonetheless we re-mained focussed on the task."

While they have avoided the indignity of being relegated, the Reno camp was not a happy one after the game as several players openly expressed disappointment at the many chances the team squandered.

"We need to find a way to stop giving up easy goals because that is what is holding us back," said goal scorer Scott, who has been Reno's top marksman this season. "We are playing well enough to win but we just need to sort ourselves out defensively."

The game started with Tivoli pressing forward in numbers and putting the Reno defence under serious pressure. They were rewarded in the second minute when Jermaine Taylor dribbled through the Reno backline and cross perfectly to Dean. His close range effort gave goalkeeper Ricardo Fuller no chance, making the score 1-0.

WASTED CHANCES

With Tivoli all out in attack, Reno drew level against the run of play on a counter-attack in the eighth minute. Scott broke away down the middle and unleashed a cracking shot which struck the right upright and then the left before lodging in the goal behind the bewildered goalkeeper Leon Gordon, making the score 1-1.

Towards the end of the half, Reno wasted back to back chances in the 38th and 40th minutes. Firstly, Fabian Blake scooped the ball over the crossbar from six yards and secondly, Drian McNain slotted wide with the goalkeeper at his mercy.

The second half, which was played in a heavy downpour, saw Tivoli handling the conditions better and looking the more composed of the two teams. They should have reclaimed the lead in the 48th minute after Steve Green dribbled to the edge of the penalty area but an alert defender checked his advance.

On another stinging attack in the 52nd minute, Tivoli found the clincher. Walker dribbled down the right flank and after working himself into what appeared to be an impossible position, fired powerfully past the hapless goalkeeper Fuller, making the score 2-1.

GOALSHEET

Reno 1

(Ricardo Scott 8th minute)

Tivoli 2

(Roland Dean 2nd minute Waheem Walker 52nd minute).