MAY PEN, Clarendon — Sporting Central Academy triumphed 2-1 over parish rivals Humble Lion yesterday at Effortville to open their Red Stripe Premier League account with a win.

In another match, Highgate and Waterhouse ended goal-less at Lynch Park.

In Clarendon, a rejuvenated Keith Kelly sent the visitors ahead, literally against the run of play, with a rasping right-footed volley on 12 minutes.

Five minutes later, indecisive goalkeeping from Sanchez Lloyd allowed Andrew Isaacs to head Humble Lion level on his second debut for the central Clarendon side.

A speculative 53rd-minute grounder from Levaughn Williams would, however, hand Nigel Stewart victory in his first official game as head coach of Sporting.

It was Sporting's first opening day victory since earning top-flight promotion six seasons ago and they had the likes of former national player Kelly and Williams to thank for it.

Apart from scoring the goals, the skillfull attackers were in their element, with Kelly showing glimpses of a return to form, before being forced off with an injury in the 67th minute, while Williams was a constant threat down the right.

Humble Lion coach Lenworth Hyde would be pleased with the manner in which his side started the game, stroking the ball purposefully around the park, but will no doubt be livid with a poor defensive display.

Schoolboy errors at the back gifted Sporting both goals, as Kelly pounced on a loose ball to fire the south-west Clarendon side into the lead, while Williams squeezed a low effort under a cluster of Humble Lion players to claim victory.