Boys’ Town 0 Rivoli United 1 Hodges (21st -penalty)

RIVOLI United debut goalkeeper Shannon Bartley made a spectacular blinding save in the 76th minute to give his team a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Boys’ Town in their Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) game at Collie Smith Drive, yesterday.

Both Boys’ Town and Rivoli began the round needing a win to prop up their mediocre RSPL showing of 10th and 11th from the bottom, respectively, in the standings with five points from one win and two drawn games apiece.

Despite playing at home, it was Rivoli who played with greater urgency and came closest to scoring. Boys’ Town, on the other hand, were slow off the mark but managed to keep the visitors in check, although they had greater possession.

In one of their attacks on the Boys’ Town’s goal Rivoli were rewarded with a penalty in the 21st minute and skipper Devon Hodges converted from the spot.

Falling behind seemed to knock some life into Boys’ Town’s play, but Rivoli continued to move faster to the ball. Nonetheless, the Boys’ Town defence of Asrick Samuels, Nicholas McMorris, Wayne Ellis, and Victor Thompson stood resolute to prevent further damage.

While the first half belonged to the visitors, Boys’ Town, as is the norm for them, came out for the second session with greater urgency and captured the midfield with some intelligent passing that opened scoring chances of which, again the hosts failed to take advantage.