CATHERINE HALL, St James — A hotly disputed goal from Bahamian national Lesly St Fleur threatened to overshadow a hard-fought

2-1 win for Montego Bay United over Tivoli Gardens in a persistent heavy drizzle and windy conditions at the Montego Bay Sport Complex on Sunday evening.

St Fleur curled a left-sided corner kick into the far side of the goal, and though a defender managed to clear the ball from the danger area, assistant referee Richard Washington indicated that the ball had crossed the goal line before being cleared away.

The decision created a flurry of protests from the Tivoli Gardens players, and the subsequent caution to Rafeik Thomas who continued to protest along with goalkeeper Edsel Scott.

Alvin Shaw, who was in charge of the Tivoli Gardens team on Sunday, described the goal as “unfortunate” and questioned the officials’ ability to rule on the goal, saying: “Even overseas where they have the technology, these kinds of plays are giving them problems, so I cant see how the (assistant referee) could have given that as a goal.”

Video replays, however, vindicated the officials’ decision.

Shaw did admit that his team was not very decisive in front of goal, claiming they had struggled all season long with finishing despite creating “a few scoring chances”.

The loss stretched ninth-placed Tivoli Gardens to eight games since their last win and earning only three points in that period.

Dr Dean Weatherly, the Montego Bay United coach, welcomed the three points that took them to third place on goal difference ahead of Boys’ Town, both on 37 points.

“It wasn’t pretty and we had to work too hard,” Weatherly said.

After losing three straight games after a hot stretch in the second round, Montego Bay United had to dig deep in miserable weather, fending off a Tivoli team that came at them in waves late in the game.

Under-fire goalkeeper Jacomeno Barrett came up with some big saves late in the game to help his team secure their 11th win.

TEAMS:

Montego Bay United — Jacomeno Barrett, Dwayne Ambusley, Ladale Richie, Mouracio Gordon (Aldaine Grant 70th), Winston Wilkinson, Lesly St Fleur, Dino Williams (Kemiro James 82nd), Allan Ottey, Ramone Brown, Oraine Braham (Jermaine Woozencroft 67th), Fabian McCarthy. Edsel Scott, Christopher Jackson, Damion Gordon (Nicholas Scott 67th), Kasai Hinds, Ranike Anderson, Fabian Campbell, Terrence Allen, Akeen Thenstead, Andre McFarlane, Rafiek Thomas, Jamoy Sibbles (Dennis Neish 72nd). Courtney Campbell

Subs not used: G Downie, L Irving, O Gordon, R Rodney

Booked: Williams (26th), Wilkinson (45+2), Richie (90+2)

Tivoli Gardens —

Subs not used: R Clarke, K Flemmings,

R Williamson, B Pryce, D Garrison

Booked: Thomas-37th, Anderson-81st

Referee:

Assistants: Richard Washington, Nicholas Anderson

Fourth Official: Nakassa Martin

Match Commissary: Fitzroy Reid