Montego Bay United are back in the final four of the Wray and Nephew Jamaica Premier League for the first time since their 2016 championship run, after holding Tivoli Gardens to a 1-1 draw at Sabina Park on Monday night—securing a 3-2 aggregate victory in the two-leg quarter-final series.
The showdown was far from routine, but Montego Bay, guided by seasoned coach Paul “Tegat” Davis, managed the occasion with poise. Entering the second leg with a narrow 2-1 advantage, they absorbed Tivoli’s pressure and dictated the tempo for long stretches.
Tensions boiled over in the second half, sparked by a missed penalty and a flurry of red cards that overshadowed the football. Jourdaine Fletcher, fouled in the box, stepped up for the spot kick in the 73rd minute. His tame effort was blocked by Tivoli’s Nicholas Clarke, but Fletcher’s follow-up—unopposed from close range—soared high over the bar, leaving fans stunned.
Moments later, the match spiraled into chaos. Clarke, in an apparent protest, made contact with referee Osane Nation and was immediately ejected. Tivoli’s goalkeeping coach Edsel Scott followed suit, sent off amid the dispute. The meltdown continued when Lennox Russell saw red for a rash challenge, reducing Tivoli to nine players.
Fan frustration turned to fury, with bottles tossed onto the pitch, temporarily disrupting the game.
Still, the match wasn’t sealed until the 86th minute when Montego Bay’s Brian Brown calmly finished between the legs of Tivoli’s stand-in keeper Nathaniel Francis after a deft assist from Owayne Gordon. The goal gave Montego Bay a commanding 3-1 aggregate lead.
Tivoli found a late consolation in stoppage time through Malik Cocking, assisted by Rodico Wellington, but the damage was done.
Montego Bay United, steady and composed through the storm, march into the semi-finals where they’ll meet top-seeded Mount Pleasant. For a team seeking to revive past glory, Monday night was a major step forward.
