Tivoli Gardens' goalscorer Roland Dean hurdles a tackle from a Waterhouse player during the Digicel Premier League match at Drewsland Mini Stadium yesterday. Tivoli won 1-0. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer
ROLAND DEAN's 72nd-minute goal against Waterhouse yesterday pulled Tivoli Gardens within two points of weakening leaders Portmore United, setting up what Digicel Premier League fans have already dubbed "a final" when the teams meet at Ferdie Neita Park in the penultimate match of the season on Wednesday.
Tivoli Gardens now have 68 points after yesterday's victory.
Needing a win at Drewsland to rub three more points off Portmore, travelling Tivoli fans cheered each goal Boys' Town scored at Collie Smith Drive, but had to settle for a goalless first 45 minutes against Waterhouse.
Their best chance in the first half fell to Jermaine Taylor, who fired straight at Richard McCallum in the 11th minute from the top of the box after being sent clear by Dean's flick-on with his back to goal.
Pressing for the goal after the break with news that Boys' Town were up 2-1, Tivoli coach Lenworth Hyde Sr made three changes in 12 minutes, including inspirational Christopher Jackson, who took only two minutes after taking the field in the 70th to set up his team's winning move.
Great reflex save
Just after McCallum made a great reflex save to deny Oraine Simpson's shot from 12 yards, Jackson dribbled in from the right side and fooled the entire Waterhouse defence, which was looking for him to drive a shot at goal, cutting the ball back to overlapping wing-back Dwight Heron, who kept his cool and played a pass inside for Dean to hammer home from six yards.
"I guess it boiled down to that," said Paul Young, Waterhouse's coach. "There was no urgency, a lack of concentration and not converting at the other end," he added.
Young said he thought his team would've been keen to beat Tivoli, which had knocked them out of the Flow Champions Cup Knockout semi-finals.
On the contrary, Waterhouse players afterwards openly wished Tivoli luck in their chase of Portmore.
Hyde said the second-half changes made the difference.
"I thought we played well today. We didn't start well but I told them to be patient at half-time and they came out and adjusted. The changes also worked out," he added.
Hyde is already bracing for Portmore.
"It's another tough game and we've to lift our game at Ferdie Neita Park," he said. "We've to carry everything to Portmore. They're having a slump now but you can't underestimate them.
"Everything now depends on what we do over the next three days," he added.
Also inching back into the title race were Harbour View, which moved to 65 points with a 2-1 win at Arnett Gardens.