Tivoli assistant coach wants to transform home complex into fortress

AFTER Tivoli Gardens FC stole a point against Arnett Gardens FC, Assistant Coach Delano Campbell says the club is looking to establish a strong home presence throughout the Legend Jamaica Premier League season. Tivoli Gardens and Arnett Gardens ended 1-1 at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex on Sunday, to share the spoils in the season’s first West Kingston derby. Arnett thought they were on their way to victory when Tivoli’s Captain Barrington Pryce turned the ball into his own net in the 64th minute. However, Mickel Graham spared his team’s blushes after firing home in the 88th minute. The result sees Tivoli remaining fifth on 12 points while Arnett move to seventh on nine points. Campbell, assistant to Head Coach Andrew Price, says his team was pleased to get a point after a less-than-desired performance. “It’s derby day, the coaching staff’s first derby as well, so we wanted to stay true to ourselves and keep our identity. Unfortunately, I think for the first half we were a little bit slow and lethargic,” he said. “Defensively, we were a little bit sloppy and we cost ourselves again — we’ve been conceding these types of goals. But credit to the subs, they really came in and gave us that extra energy and I think, at the end, we deserve a point.” Tivoli have just two losses in their eight games this season and are unbeaten in their three games at home. Campbell says they’re determined to continue racking up positive results at their west Kingston home. “The gaffer [Price] would have said at the start of the season, ‘We want to make the Edward Seaga complex a fortress’, and I think the boys really stuck in with that message,” he said. “The magical thing would have been to get a win over our rivals in a derby game. But again, we wanted to keep here — home — a fortress, and I think getting back this late and securing a point is a massive boost for us and we just have to continue going [because] it’s a long season.” Arnett Gardens head coach Marcel Gayle, though disappointed with not winning, says he’s satisfied with the team’s progress this season.

Marcel Gayle, Arnett Gardens head coach

“We are taking things in stride; we’re taking it game by game,” he said. “We’re getting better. We’ve scored a goal in every single match but we’ve been conceding some silly goals [as well], so we have to do better there.” SUNDAY’S RESULTS Tivoli 1, Arnett 1 Montego Bay 2, Portmore 2 Racing 3, Treasure Beach 4 Tru-Juice 1, Chapelton 0 Dunbeholden 3, Humble Lion 0 MONDAY’S GAMES 5:00 pm — Molynes vs Mount Pleasant @ Drewsland 8:00 pm — Waterhouse vs Cavalier @ Drewsland