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Ten-man Tivoli win ‘garden party’
October 21, 2025
Ten-man Tivoli Gardens FC defeated archrivals Arnett Gardens FC in a heated and exciting 'battle of the gardens' in the late Jamaica Premier League (JPL) game at Drewsland Mini-Stadium on Monday night to move into the top six for the first time this season.
Kimarley Smith's spectacular strike secured all three points for the Jerome Waite-coached Tivoli Gardens FC at the death, this after they were reduced to 10 men after Anthony Nelson was shown the red card in the 70th minute, for dangerous play, with the scores tied at 1-1.
Denville Watson had given Tivoli the lead on the stroke of half-time. But Shai Smith tied the game for Arnett five minutes into the second half.
"Whenever these two teams meet it will always bring out the best in both teams and today it wasn't any different," said winning coach Jerome Waite, who was eyeing a top-six spot heading into the match.
"This (top-six) is something that we were looking forward to. Four teams were on nine points. So once we leave out of that bunch we will be closer to the top half. And it's good to be in sixth position at this time," he stated.
Both teams created good opportunities in the first half. However, it was Arnett who had the better chances, with Jermy Nelson rattling the bar with a 25-yard strike. While Rushike Kelson and Thomas missed the best of the lot, both firing wide with goalkeeper Nicholas Clarke at their mercy. Joel Jones also had a good header from eight yards.
Although Tivoli did not create as many chances, they kept the Arnett defence on its toes with their direct approach.
Nichalia Fuller had the West Kingston team's best effort, but goalkeeper Anthony Bennett parried his curling shot over the top.
Tivoli would grab the lead in first-half stoppage time when Watson flashed a header past Bennett from a corner, colliding heads with Jones in the process, to give his team the lead at the break.
Shai Smith equalised when he collected a ball from Bennett and slotted past Clarke.
Kimarley Smith would steal all three points for the under-manned Tivoli, with a spectacular shot with the outside of the right boot.
Arnett coach Philip Williams said they paid for their wastefulness.
"It's basically deja vu. We played Treasure Beach, got a lot of chances, did not score. Treasure Beach got their chance and scored. It was the same thing tonight. To be creating and not scoring. And to lose the way we lost is disappointing," he said.
Tivoli are sixth with 12 points, and Arnett ninth on nine points.
In the opening game, Portmore defeated Harbour View 4-1 to move into second spot in the standings on 18 points, four behind leaders MoBay United FC.
Trayvone Reid (26th) scored for Harbour View. But Portmore rallied with goals from Romeo Guthrie (35th), Marques Reid (64th), Ramone Howell (89th) and Orlando Russell (90+1).
Harbour View are 12th with eight points, three more than Molynes United and six ahead of Spanish Town Police in last.
