Humble Lions…..1

Dallas (46th)

Tivoli Gardens…..0

Despite securing a third-consecutive win to end the year on a high in fourth position on the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) standing, Humble Lions Head Coach Andrew Price stressed the need for continuous improvement from his team if they are to maintain their momentum and, by extension, challenge for the title in the new year.

Price’s sentiments came after a solitary 46th-minute strike from Shamari Dallas saw Humble Lions to a 1-0 win over Tivoli Gardens in an heated affair at the Effortville Community Centre on Wednesday.

With this, a fourth win from their last five games, the Clarendon-based team moved to 13 points, same as third-placed Cavalier, but with an inferior goal difference.

They are now just two points off reigning champions Harbour View in second and four points off new leaders Mount Pleasant FA, who hammered a struggling Molynes United 5-0 at Drax Hall Sports Complex in St Ann.

“We have to be mindful of that so we can try to remain consistent,” Price told the Jamaica Observer in a post-game interview.

“The last couple of games have been really difficult, so it’s great to get maximum points from those and we want to continue this momentum in the new year,” he added.

For Price, the fact that his team pulled off another victory while playing with 10 players speaks volumes of their defensive fortitude, as Linval Lewis was shown a straight red card for violent conduct in the 58th minute.

However, he was quick to point out that they won’t always finish top by merely scoring a solitary goal and, as such, charged his attacking front to bring their class to the fore.

This as their previous two victories against Montego Bay United and Arnett Gardens, also ended in 1-0 scorelines.

“I think the lads fought really well after losing a player early which always makes it difficult especially when you play 10 minutes extra time. So credit to the players for a job well done,” said Price.

“What it shows is that we have good defensive shape and stoutness but what we need to do is be more clinical in the final third. I think we got some opportunities in the first half that we should have put away, so we definitely need to work on our aggression where that is concerned,” the veteran tactician noted.

After playing out a goalless first half in which they gradually gained the ascendancy, Humble Lions pressed the accelerator on the resumption and broke the deadlock a mere minute in.

A long pass out from the back fell kindly for Dallas, who did well to slip his marker and fire past Kewong Watkins in goal for Tivoli Gardens.

Still, the West Kingston-based team was by no means deflated, as they took charge of the contest from the hour mark and threw everything at Humble Lions in their probe for the elusive equaliser, but it was not to be.

By virtue of this their fourth loss of the season, they will end the year in 11th position on six points.

Yesterday’s results

Humble Lions 1, Tivoli Gardens 0

Mount Pleasant 5, Molynes United 0

Montego Bay United 1, Chapelton Maroons 1

Portmore United 3, Faulkland FC 1

Dunbeholden FC 0, Waterhouse FC

— Sherdon Cowan