McIntosh

Western Bureau:

After a patch in which they went six consecutive games without a victory, Reno FC made it back-to-back wins in the Digicel Premier League yesterday afternoon, when they clipped Rivoli United 2-1 in their rescheduled game at Frome Sports Complex in Westmoreland.

Striker Gary McIntosh, who has been on fire for Reno in recent games, scored both goals for an impressive tally of five goals in his last three games. Derrick Planter got Rivoli's consolation goal.

"Tactically, I thought we played a very good first half and I believe we should have been two goals up at the half-time break," said Reno's technical director, Wendell Downswell. "We are happy for this win because I believe it has lifted us into mid table."

Superior goal difference

The victory actually catapulted Reno to 12 points, three places up the ladder past Arnett Gardens (10 points), Village United (11) and Waterhouse (12), over whom they hold a superior goal difference.

In what was a keenly contested game, Reno got two good early chances in the second and fourth minutes. Firstly, Nyron Davis got away on the edge of the area and side-footed wide, after which Renorio Downswell turned sweetly before the goal but fired straight at the keeper.

Rivoli got their first opportunity in the 12th minute when Devon Hodges broke free on the edge of the penalty area, but as he came under pressure, the striker stumbled and conceded possession to the advancing goalkeeper.

Towards the end of the half, Reno again took charge but faulty finishing kept them off the scoresheet. In the 36th minute, Fabian Blake struck a fierce volley from close range, which struck the goalkeeper and was subsequently cleared by an alert defender.

Chance lost

On the stroke of half-time, Blake squandered another chance when he pounced on a rebound, but his hasty shot cleared the crossbar.

In second-half play, Reno took the lead in the 48th minute. Blake broke out of midfield and sliced a neat pass to McIntosh, who fired past the goalkeeper, making the score 1-0.

Finding themselves behind, Rivoli increased the tempo of their play, but wasted two chances in the 51st and 58th minutes. First, Hodges hit a savage shot which was turned wide by goalkeeper Dennis Taylor. Hodges again broke free but cleared the cross bar with his shot.

Rivoli finally got on the scoresheet in the 59th minute when Planter won possession on the right side of the penalty area and delicately curled the ball over the goalkeeper's head and into the goal, making the score 1-1.

However, Rivoli's joy was shortlived as, in the 62nd minute, a close-range shot by McIntosh struck the goalkeeper and bobbled before the goal and with the goalkeeper struggling to regain his footing, McIntosh nodded into the unprotected goal, making the final score 2-1.

Summary of yesterday's Digicel Premier League match and standings.

Reno FC 2 Rivoli United FC 1 at Frome Sports Complex

GOALS: Reno - Gary McIntosh 48th, 62nd; Rivoli - Derrick Planter 59th

Standings