ARNETT Gardens made a winning start to the Red Stripe Premier League with a comprehensive 3-1 whipping of rivals Tivoli Gardens at the Edward Seaga Stadium yesterday.

Goals by Captain Kirk Ramsey in the 37th minute, Lamar Nelson 50th and Ricardo Oldham in the 61st, pushed Arnett Gardens to a relatively easy away victory over their fierce rivals, claiming three points in the process.

Substitute Keithy Simpson powered home a header from a free kick in the 66th minute for a consolation goal which brought life into an inexperienced Tivoli Gardens outfit.

With Arnett Gardens blooding several young players last season, this year Paul 'Tegat' Davis is expecting to reap the rewards and he is happy they started with a win.

"We were the better team and once we settled down we got some chances and we took them. We were leading and the guys fell back but we were the better team," Davis reiterated.

For former champion Tivoli Gardens, this season is expected to be a difficult one with emphasis on rebuilding for the future.

"That's the mandate I got from the president (Edward Seaga)... we will use this year and build and get the youngsters involved. One thing the president doesn't want to happen is to keep players too long, and for us to rebuild, it would take us

years," revealed coach Glendon 'Admiral' Bailey.

Bailey certainly worked on that mandate with only three players from last year's starting team getting the nod yesterday in Shawn McKoy, Ranike Anderson and new captain Kemar Flemmings.

New signee Akeem Thensead from Waterhouse made his debut with the returning Jermaine Allen and young Nicholas Scott, who started up front for Tivoli Gardens.

Arnett Gardens, boasting a nice blend of youth and experience, were too hot for the home team and were deserved winners.

The prolific Ramsey was a handful for the Tivoli Gardens backline, and when he was bundled over in the 36th minute by Ranike Anderson in the box, referee Raymond Bogle had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Ramsey, the leading goalscorer two seasons ago, brushed himself off and easily converted from the spot in the 37th minute.

The talented Nelson doubled Arnett's advantage in the 50th minute by ramming home from just outside the box. The third goal came as when Oldham, standing at the top of the box, slammed home after being teed up by Nelson from a free kick near the

corner flag.