H'View slip, Tivoli inch up

RIVOLI defeated 10-man Harbour View 3-2 in yesterday's Digicel Premier League match at the Spanish Town Prison Oval to allow Tivoli Gardens, who won through a Navion Boyd 46th-minute strike against Village United, to snatch pole position courtesy of a better goal difference.

Rivoli have moved to 33 points and have distanced themselves from relegation danger, while the Stars of the East are in second place on 57 points.

The homesters got the game off to a rousing start when Valentine Gardener drilled home from close range 14 seconds in after he dribbled through the heart of the Harbour View defence, then exchanged neatly with Devon Hodges.

The visitors responded almost immediately when Kavin Bryan was unnecessarily brought down in the box by Omar Parker. Marcelino Blackburn stepped forward to easily slot home the resultant penalty in the fourth minute. While spectators were still entering the venue, Hodges squeezed in a penalty for Rivoli in the 10th minute after Kevin Wooley was called for a professional foul on Kirk Ramsay who was clear on goal. Wooley was given an automatic red card for

the challenge.

The end to end action continued in the second half, but it was Harbour View who managed to capitalise as substitute Andre Fagan rose unmarked to head home in the 70th minute after a short corner worked between Jermaine Hue and Nicholas Beckett.

The home team got the last say, however, eight minutes later, as a mix-up in the Harbour View defence allowed Kirk Ramsay to speed through on goal and force home his deflected effort beyond a wrong-footed Michaud Barrett and restore Rivoli's lead for good.

In another result Arnett Gardens clipped August Town 1-0 at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex.