BUFF BAY, Portland — Defending champions Tivoli Gardens, led by a Roland Dean brace, defeated Highgate 3-1 in their Red Stripe Premier League game at Lynch Park on Sunday, which saw both teams going down to 10 players.

Dean’s double came in the fourth and 36th minutes, with Dane Kelly adding another late on in the 83rd minute. Donovan Davis’s 12th-minute strike accounted for Highgate’s consolation.

Under slippery conditions, Dean got his first goal when he picked up a ball down the right flank, darted into the penalty and calmly flicked the ball over the head of advancing Highgate custodian Oral Johnson.

But before the celebrations died down, Highgate were on level terms when Richard Orrett floated his free-kick into the 18-yard box for Davis to head past custodian Tivoli goalie Derron Duncan.

In their next dramatic moment, Highgate were reduced to 10 players when referee O’Neil Watson sent Barrington James for an early shower for violent conduct in the 12th minute.

Dean completed his brace when Highgate’s Orrett gifted the lurking striker the ball, who then disposed one defender before placing the ball to the left of custodian.

Tivoli were trimmed to 10 men when defender Ranike Anderson picked up his second caution in the 55th minute.

Tivoli secured the three points when substitute Kelly and Romeo Parkes combined for the former to boot home.

Coach Glendon ‘Admiral’ Bailey was elated with his team’s victory and singled out newly signed Parkes for his contribution. “We are up and running again and have found back our footing… Romeo Parkes has been doing wonders for us, (though) he did not get a goal for us today (yesterday),” he said.

Highgate coach Michael Smith blamed indiscipline for the loss. “Indiscipline at the back cost us the game… we got an early red card and it (also) contributed to the loss,” he grieved.

TEAMS:

Highgate — Oral Johnson, Dennis Neish, Anthowe Dawkins, Shamir Stewart (Oshane Dunkley (89th), Barrington James, Richard Orrett, Christopher Harris (Luke Soares (47th), Kevin Williams, Andre Dyce, Donovan Davis (Ryan Rodney 66th), David Boswell.

Subs not used: Delbert Kessoon, Jahmika Hutchinson, Carlington Graham, Tonoi Campbell

Booked: Orrett (22nd), James (ejected -12th)

Tivoli Gardens — Deron Duncan, Christopher Jackson, Ranike Anderson, Jameel Thompson, Raymond Williamson, Mario Swaby (Anthony Stitchell 75th), Shawn McKoy, Mitchily Waul, Romeo Parkes, Roland Dean (Dane Kelly 79th), Damion Gordon.

Subs not used: Kassi Hinds, Edsel Scott, Christopher Nicholas, Patrick Brown, Deno Schaffe

Booked: Anderson (29th & 55th – ejected), Parkes (30th), Gordon (45th), McKoy (83rd), Kelly (87th)

Referee: O’Neil Watson

Assistants: Stephen Brown, Oyinco McTaggart

Fourth Official: O’Neil Clayton

Match Commissary: Raymond Grant

Referee Assessor: Peter Bowyer