Boys' Town's George Vernal (right) is tackled by Meadhaven United's Raymond Williamson during the Digicel Premier League match at Collie Smith Drive yesterday. Boys' Town won 2-1. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Boys' Town edged Meadhaven United 2-1 in a keenly contested Digicel Premier League encounter yesterday at Collie Smith Drive.

Renae Lloyd (14th) and Peter Keyes (36th) scored for Boys' Town, while Lennox Creary (70th) netted for Meadhaven.

Lloyd opened the scoreline for Boys' Town after he capitalised on a defensive error to hit a solid right-footer past the keeper from eight yards.

Creary sought to equalise for Meadhaven from a free kick, but goalkeeper Philmore Crumbie foiled his attempt.

Boys' Town thought they had doubled their lead when Zeicko Herrera put the ball in the net in the 25th minute, but the goal was deemed to be offside.

36th-minute goal

However, Keyes got it right in the 36th minute when he scored from eight yards by chipping the ball to the back post.

Following that, Keammar Daley from had a good chance to score for Meadhaven, but he kicked the ball over the top of the goal from six yards out.

In the second half, Meadhaven revived their fortunes when Creary scored in the 70th minute to put them back into the game.

Boys' Town suffered a major blow in the 77th minute as Jermaine Bailey was ejected from the match on his second yellow card. Bailey had picked up his first yellow card in the 62nd minute.

According to Andrew Price, coach of Boys' Town, the game was a tale of two halves.

"The first half we played very well but in the second half, we took our foot off the gas," Price said.

"We got complacent and relaxed and because of that we brought Meadhaven into the game. Coupled with injuries and a red card, we stood up and fought for the last 20 minutes of the game. The important thing is that we got a victory at home," he said.

Boys' Town remain in third place on 50 points.

Lijyasu Simms, coach of Meadhaven United, said they created numerous chances to score but failed to capitalise.

Changes to be made

"We just have to go back to the drawing board and try to get the shooting right," Simms said. "Our aim and purpose is to stay in the competition and we are getting there slowly.

"We can't think of winning now because that would be impossible," he added.

Meadhaven are in relegation zone, third from the bottom of the table on 26 points.

In other matches, Harbour View and Arnett Gardens ended 0-0 at Harbour View Mini Stadium, Waterhouse were held to a goalless draw by Reno at Waterhouse Mini Stadium, Tivoli Gardens thumped Rivoli United 4-1 at Edward Seaga Sports Complex and Sporting Central Academy hammered Village United 4-0 at Elliston Wakeland Centre in Falmouth.

Standings

(Tabulate under Teams, Play, Win, Draw, Lose, Goals For, Goals Against, Second Round Points, Total Points)