Third-place Portmore United missed a great opportunity to close the gap on the front two in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) after they gave up a last-minute goal to settle for a 2-2 draw with Tivoli Gardens at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex yesterday.
Akeil Leachman put the home team ahead after 15 minutes, before goals from Clayton Peck (34th) and Javier Brown (78th) put the visitors on the verge of victory.
However, Alton Lewis struck in time added to break Portmore hearts and earned Tivoli a share of the spoils.
“It’s tough. If I stand here and tell you I am not angry, I would be lying. It’s tough to accept that (late goal).
“I can understand if you are playing 12-year-olds, but this is big-man football. You have to understand the situation out there as a player and apply yourself,” said Portmore coach Rodolph Austin.
“We were 2-1 up and it was just to get it across the line, but unfortunately it didn’t happen. It’s just simple schoolboy mistakes. Individual mistakes costing us games.”
Tivoli controlled the first 15 minutes and capitalised on their ascendancy when Leachman fired home from close range after the Portmore defence failed to clear from a corner.
Portmore improved after going behind, and Brown headed over the bar after finding space in the area from a free kick.
Momemts later, Ronaldo Robinson tested Nicholas Clarke with a low strike from 25 yards that the goalkeeper had to push for a corner.
Portmore got the equaliser in the 34th minute when Robinson played Brown in behind and he picked out Peck at the far post for a simple tap in.
Tivoli came close to restoring their advantage after the interval, but Janoi Williams’ volley went inches over from the top of the area.
Anthony Nelson then had a great opportunity after a free kick found him unmarked in the area, but he kicked over from inside the box.
Moments later Portmore threatened, as Peter McGregor was inches away from a cross, with a diving header from six yards out.
Portmore edged in front in the 78th minute after a horrible piece of play from goalkeeper Clarke, whose spot kick was intercepted by Brown just outside the box. The midfielder advanced and slipped the ball past the custodian to make it 2-1 for Portmore.
However, Tivoli would salvage a point when substitute Nichalia Fuller left his marker and delivered a ball to the back post, which Lewis stabbed home from six yards.
Tivoli were reduced to 10 players a few minutes later, as Nelson was red-carded for a retaliation on goalkeeper Daniel Russell.
“At this level those errors (are unacceptable),” said Tivoli coach Jerome Waite about his goalkeeper’s blunder. “That error worked in favour of them, but we showed resillience and came back in time added on.”
“I believed it was only a matter of time. We created two clear chances that we didn’t execute well, but this team will create chances,” he added.
Portmore remained in third on 26 points, while Tivoli stayed ninth with 16. Montego Bay United lead with 29, followed by Racing United on 28.
