Former national Under-20 striker Romeo Parkes netted his second brace in two games to lead defending champions Tivoli Gardens to a 3-1 win over Humble Lion at the Edward Seaga Complex on Sunday.

The win was Tivoli’s second from as many games this calendar year, and the west-Kingston side seems to be turning the corner after a string of poor results under coach Glendon ‘Admiral’ Bailey.

However, the turn-around in part is largely due to onloan St George’s forward, Parkes, who fired the host infront after 21 minutes.

Humble Lion equalised from the penalty spot through Carlington Smith in the 43rd.

But Parkes added a second in the 67th minute, and another former national Under-20 frontman Christopher Nicholas sealed the win in the 73rd for a very pleased Bailey, who believes his team is starting to get it together.

“It was a workmanlike performance…and we have been getting that from last Wednesday against Sporting… and we believe we can do the catching up,” he said.

“But Romeo Parkes has been a very good introduction… he scored two Wednesday and two today…

“And that is something that has been plaquing us getting…chances and not putting them away, and now we have a player making use of the chances…it is showing dividends,” he added.

Eager to overcome their previous round defeat to Montego Bay, Humble Lion came at the host early in the match, but Parkes halted their advance when he fired past Garth Heron to give Tivoli the lead.

Humble Lion drew level two minutes before the interval when Shawn McKoy attempted to control and handled the ball inside the area. Smith calmly slotted home the resulting kick to tie the score at 1-1.

Parkes nearly restored Tivoli’s lead a minute later, but his effort was cleared off the line after he beat Heron to a long ball, and lobbed him.

Humble Lion came out with a spark at the start of the second half and Oneke Ford nearly stole in to direct a ball past Deron Duncan in the Tivoli Gardens goal.

Minutes later the burly striker whistled a free-kick past the upright as the visitors grew in confidence.

But the ever-dangerous Parkes put the game further out of their opponents’ reach when he was left unmarked and redirected a ball off the inside of the post after he was picked out by Christopher Jackson on a set-piece.

Nicholas, one of the most talented forwards of his generation but who has been dogged by injuries over the last few seasons, looked lively and trimmer.

He put the game beyond doubt when he rose to head home his second of the season from a corner.

Humble Lion’s coach Lenworth Hyde said his defence is a cause for concern after giving up six goals in two games.

“I don’t see anyone stepping up to deal with the responsibilites at the back…to lose two straight games 3-1 is poor… and it’s appalling to see how the defence played both games,” he fumed.