It was a battle of youth versus experience, but neither asset helped Tivoli Gardens nor Cavalier SC as they played to a 0-0 draw in their opening encounter of the 2015/16 Red Stripe Premier League.

It was expected to be an entertaining game at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex, but the moderate crowd left disappointed as the affair was more a comedy of missed chances.

After a scrappy start to the encounter, it was the youthful Cavalier that gradually took charge of the early exchanges and orchestrated a number of constructive passes. Their composure was, however, lacking in the attacking third as they failed to take advantage of a flat-looking Tivoli Gardens unit.

The hosts, led by former national attacking midfielder Jermaine ‘Teddy’ Johnson, rode their luck and sprang into action with a few useful build-ups.

Johnson was brought down inside the area on the half-hour mark, but Tivoli’s appeal for a penalty was waved off by referee Oshane Nation.

And the fans were left furious when Nicholas Scott was brought down by Cavalier custodian Carloyd Walters, and again the appeal was waved off.

Tivoli picked up the pace at the resumption and pressed their opponents deep inside their own half. And even though they sometimes looked lost in the middle of the park, Cavalier were hardly offering anything in attack, which allowed Tivoli to dictate ball possession.

Teams:

Tivoli Gardens — Edsel Scott, Shavar Campbell, Theo Brown, Ranike Anderson, Christopher Jackson, Shane Watson, Andre Morgan (Rohan Reid 76th), Jermaine Johnson (Miguel Ricketts 79th), Rodico Wellington, Nicholas Scott, David Stultz (Narada Brown 66th).

Subs not used: Nicholas Clarke, Barrington Pryce, Nickoy Christian, Romaine Brackenridge

Booked: Johnson (7th), Brown (49th), Jackson (81st), Scott (84th)

Cavalier — Carloyd Walters, Sean Lawes, Al Nestbeth, Jeffrey Grant, Jason Watson, Dwayne Smith (Nicholas Hamilton 79th), Norman Bailey (Ryan Miller 63rd), Jerome Smith, Chevone Marsh, Akeem Shackleford (Donovan McCurdy 63rd), Donovan Alveranga.

Subs not used: Rashaun Patterson, Delano Anderson, Shamar Smith, Akino Sadler

Booked: Watson (25th)

Referee: Oshane Nation

Assistant Referees: Llyod Reader, Princess Brown

Fourth official: Tyrone Robinson

Match Commissary: Charles Barrett

— Sherdon Cowan