Lime Hall ended 2023 without a win in the Wray & Nephew Jamaica Premier League after a 1-3 defeat to Tivoli Gardens on Sunday at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex.

Coming into the contest, the St Ann-based club sat bottom of the league with just four points from their 11 games and wasted no time in conceding as Kimarley Smith’s calm finish inside the area at beat goalkeeper Jaheim Williams to put Tivoli 1-0 up.

Lime Hall, though, were given a lifeline when Tivoli defender Odean Pennycooke’s high boot brought down Ronaldo Brown in the box which allowed Carlos Campbell to equalise from the spot in the 21st minute.

However, they would go behind heading into the break as Alton Lewis, played in behind, looped the ball over the onrushing Williams to restore Tivoli’s lead.

There weren’t many clear-cut chances in the second half for either side with both keepers having little to do. However, in search of an equaliser late on, Lime Hall were caught on the counter-attack in the 86th minute as substitute Rodico Wellington finished off a three-versus-one move to give Tivoli the win.

Lime Hall Head Coach Vanie Clarke believes their lack of an offensive threat led to their demise.

“The game itself wasn’t a bad one for us, result wasn’t horrible but again, I thought we did some good things but end of the day, we lacking extra quality at the top end of the pitch. When we get into the final third, that’s where we lack a lot of quality so it doesn’t matter what we do in terms of organisation, end of the day we lack that final cutting edge and that’s where we’re falling short at this level,” he said.

Clarke believes the January transfer window couldn’t come soon enough as they look to stave off relegation.

“The club doesn’t have massive resources which makes it more challenging but we have some targets in mind. I have one exciting talent coming in and hopefully he can bring some quality. We have some others who were looking at and it’s just trying to improve the group. The hard work is there, the organisation is there for large parts but again, concentration, quality with that final touch in the middle third, we lack that quality and we want to try and find some players that are of level who’ll be able to make an impression in the league,” said Clarke.

Tivoli’s Head Coach Jerome Waite, while satisfied with three points, believed his team could have performed better if it wasn’t for the player’s indulgence during the festive season.

“A lot of these youngsters, you don’t have them in camp like a certain club but at the same time, you’re hoping that they’ll be disciplined. Eventually, we got the job done and we still have to take the time out to congratulate them for what they’ve done so far,” Waite said.

“Today, you noticed that Lime Hall really came here with a purpose despite being the bottom table team, they really put up a stunning fight but in the end we were victorious. I think we didn’t play as expected but we did enough to win the game,” he added.

Tivoli end the year in second place on 24 points while Lime Hall remain bottom with four points.