CAVALIER SC wound out the first round of the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) in free-scoring form, blanking a lethargic-looking Highgate United team 3-0 at the Stadium East football field yesterday.

Norman Bailey struck in the 13th and 74th minutes, while Mitchily Waul hit home in 18th to secure an easy win for the David Laylor-conditioned team.

With the result, Cavalier eased their relegation woes somewhat by moving up to 13 points, while Highgate remain at the foot of the standing on five.

Laylor said his recently-promoted team has gradually come to grips with the quality of play in the RSPL.

“I’m definitely pleased with this showing. We are just back in the Premier League and I think we are just catching our feet. We can only do better entering the second round. It is also encouraging that we are scoring,” Laylor said.

Highgate’s head coach Calvin Lewis said he was disappointed with the showing, but lamented the club’s financial status.

“I’m disappointed but we could all see this coming. I’m very worried about the team going forward. There are off-the-field issues affecting the players and we haven’t prepared well. Players have not been paid their most recent salary and it’s affecting the them,” he said.

After a subdued start, Bailey squeezed life into the encounter in the 13th minute when he cut in from the left to beat goalkeeper Maurice Evans low at his near post from 15 yards o3ut.

Five minutes later, Waul doubled the advantage when he pounced on a failed clearance to turn and score an eight-yard effort.

Waul, riding on a high after the goal, almost grabbed a spectacular second soon after, but his 23-yard effort whizzed by Evans’ far post.

In the second half Highgate United pushed for a goal, but 16 minutes before the close they conceded a third to the marauding Cavalier outfit.

Bailey was on hand to tap in a rebound after Evans made a sharp low save to deny Waul’s close range shot.