CATHERINE HALL, St James — Montego Bay United (MBU) and Tivoli Gardens played out a drab 0-0 draw highlighted by atrocious finishing in their mid-table game at the Montego Bay Sports Complex on Wednesday evening.

Tivoli Gardens’ player Miguel Ricketts was the main culprit with no fewer than three poor attempts inside the six-yard box in the first half alone, as Tivoli Gardens remained in fifth place on nine points while Montego Bay United edged one spot to seventh on eight points.

Not even three attacking substitutions by MBU in the second half, including Dino Williams — playing in his first game this season and who also missed a gilt-edged chance late in the game — was able to change the scoreline.

The already forgettable game was further marred in time added on after a clash in midfield left MBU midfielder Keniel Kirlew bloodied from a gash to his forehead that took five stitches to close, and saw referee Weston Costley put back his red card in his pocket after chasing Tivoli Gardens’ Tevin Shaw across the field.

The game was petering out to a tame draw when both players went up for a high ball and Shaw led with his elbow. Kirlew crumbled to the ground writhing in pain.

After signalling the MBU medical team on to the field and separating the players from both teams who were going at each other, referee Costley followed Shaw over to the Tivoli Gardens’ bench with the red card in his hand, but was called away by Tyrone Robinson, the fourth official. After a brief conversation, Costley put the card back in his pocket and signalled for play to continue.

Tivoli Gardens, who were held scoreless against promoted Sandals South Coast at home in their previous game, got off to a better start and forced MBU goalkeeper Jacomeno Barrett into action in the seventh minute when he blocked a point-blank shot from Ricketts after they caught the MBU defence napping.

Ten minutes later, Ricketts was presented with another chance by Tykvin Garnett who wormed his way down the right wing and squared the ball to his open teammate, but he missed wide of the near right post with just Barrett to beat.

Ricketts completed his hat-trick of blunders in the 35th minute with the easiest of the three chances. After getting around Barrett inside the six-yard box and with no one between him and the goal, he stubbed his toes in the grass, allowing the goalkeeper to recover and smother the ball.

Williams, who replaced Raheem Pringle in the 65th minute, got his team’s best chance in the 77th minute when he was sent through the middle, just beating the offside trap, but after getting around goalkeeper Davin Watkins, the ball rolled away from him and he hit it powerfully into the side netting.

Sean Coleman had a chance to win it late for Tivoli Gardens in the 83rd minute, but his header from inside the six-yard box was woefully wide of the target.

Teams:

Montego Bay United —

Jacomeno Barrett, Dwayne

Ambusley, John Barrett, Ladale

Richie, Orlando McBayne,

Nicholas Stewart, Keniel Kirlew,

Raheem Pringle (Dino Williams-

65th), Jermaine Woozencroft

(Lesly St Fleur-80th), Donovan

Carey, Odane Nish (Jefroy

Leslie-54th).

Subs not used: David Swaby,

Ranaldo Thompson, Javoy

McLeod, Val Armstrong,

Booked: Stewart (90th)

Tivoli Gardens — Davin

Watkins, Shavar Campbell,

Barrington Pryce, Romaine

Brakenridge, Kenroy Lumpthen,

Tevin Shaw, Sean Coleman,

Tykvin Garnett (Andre Moulton-

75th), Authur Walters (Junior

McGregor-80th), Miguel

Ricketts (Colorado Murray-

60th), Marvin Stewart.

Subs not used: Nicholas Clarke,

Rushane Facey, Andrew Whyte,

Romaine Linton,

Booked: Coleman (90th)

Referee: Weston Costley

Assistants: Lloyd Edwards,

Terrence McKenzie

Fourth Official: Tyrone Robinson

Match Commissary: David Galloway