FORMER champions Tivoli Gardens were in cruise control mode when they easily brushed aside Portland’s St Georges SC 3-0 in their Digicel Premier League encounter at the Edward Seaga Complex yesterday.

National utility player Keammar Daley opened the scoring in the second minute; fellow international Devon Hodges added a second nine minute later, while substitute Roland Dean put the icing on the cake with three minutes to play.

Meanwhile, another national player, Navion Boyd, had to be helped off the field just before half-time and was later taken to hospital for a dislocated left shoulder after falling awkwardly in a clash with an opposing player.

On the field of play, there was no doubt that the hosts were the superior team as they dominated possession, and appeared a fearsome unit going forward. The St Georges defence had no effective response to the attacking sway as Hodges, Daley and Boyd, and later Kevin Deerr and Dean, proved more than a handful.

St Georges had their moments on the offensive front, but could not breach Edsel Scott’s goal. In the 17th, Dever Orgill had a glorious chance to slash the deficit, but the former Vancouver Whitecaps man failed to beat Scott, who was at his mercy.

Again in the 83rd, Orgill tested the Tivoli custodian, but again the latter was not in a generous mood.

In minute 66, second half substitute Romeo Parkes had a glimpse of goal, but his effort from 22 yards was well-measured by a sharp-looking Scott who was down quick to take the heat off the well-struck shot.

Tivoli entered yesterday’s game in fourth spot in the 12-team table with 12 points, but now move to 15. There were late matchs yesterday involving leaders Portmore United and Waterhouse.

St Georges remain in the relegation area with four points.

Tivoli Gardens — Edsel Scott, Kemar Flemmings, Victor Thompson, Kasai Hinds, Christopher Jackson, Raymond Williamson, Kevin Blackford (Michael Bygen 79th), Keammar Daley, Shawn McKoy, Navion Boyd (Roland Dean 45th), Devon Hodges (Kevin Deerr 78th).

Subs not used: P Harrison, R Murray, D Gordon, M Spence

Booked: None

St Georges SC — Ralston Robinson, Jermaine Taylor (Donovan Davis (45th), Omar Davis, Andrae Thomas, Girvon Brown, Dawyne Holmes, Horace James (Richardo Watson 82nd), Dever Orgill, Shawn Hunter, Leon Irving, Danian Reid (Romeo Parkes 56th).

Subs not used: R Bowers, R Taylor, U Dobson, D James

Booked: Orgill (59th), Brown (65th)

Referee: Raymond Bogle

Assistants: Ricardo Morgan, Damion Williams

Fourth Official: Karl Tyrell

Match Commissary: Charles Barrett