FORMER champions Portmore United edged Tivoli Gardens 2-1 in an entertaining mid-week Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) fixture at Edward Seaga Complex yesterday.

Jovan East scored both goals for Portmore United in the 38th and 83rd minutes, while Jermaine Johnson pulled one back for Tivoli Gardens in the 56th.

With the win, Portmore United joined leaders Montego Bay United on 18 points. Tivoli Gardens are in fifth position on 14 points.

It was nothing short of excitement, as both teams went at each other in an evenly contested encounter which got feisty at times. Referee Karl Tyrell issued eight cautions, five of which went to the Portmore United team.

After matching strides in the early exchanges, it was the visitors Portmore United who went to the break in the lead, courtesy of a well-timed header from East to finish off a cross from Aldaine Grant on the right channel.

The hosts came out rejuvenated at the resumption and were very enterprising when applying consistent pressure to the opponents’ defence, but were hesitant in pulling the trigger which delayed the equaliser. However, Johnson, the former national attacking-midfielder put the hosts back on level terms four minutes shy of the hour mark when he fired past custodian Sean Paul to finish off a beautiful build-up. Tivoli continued to dominate possession and had a number of chances to steal the show, but failed to capitalise and were later made to pay for their lack of composure in front of goal.

East popped up to secure the three points for Portmore United against the run of play, when a defensive error allowed substitute Maalique Foster to play the ball across the face of goal to which Tivoli had no response.

Meanwhile, third-placed Humble Lion also moved up to 18 points following a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Boys’ Town, while sixth-placed FC Reno played out a goalless game against 10th-placed Cavalier SC.

Teams

Tivoli Gardens — Edsel Scott, Shavar Campbell, Theo Brown, Ranike Anderson, Shawn McKoy, Rohan Reid, Andre Morgan, Nickoy Christian (Otis Ffriend 61st), Jermaine Johnson (Narada Brown 77th), Junior Flemmings, Miguel Ricketts (Rodico Wellington 70th)

Subs not used: Davin Watkins, Christopher Jackson, Romaine Brackenridge, Leroy Jones

Booked: Johnson (34th), Anderson (71st), Ffriend (90+3)

Portmore United — Sean Paul, Omar Daley, Damono Solomon, Upston Edwards, Kareem Manning, Roberto Johnson, Kemar Philpott (Kemo Gayle 80th), Michael Binns, Sulae McCalla (Stephen Williams 62nd), Jovan East, Aldaine Grant (Maalique Foster 70th)

Subs not used: Tyrone Williams, Kambuji McCalla, Kevin Deerr, Kemo Gayle, Rodian Jennings

Booked: East (39th), Johnson (51st), Philpott (72nd), Solomon (81st), Foster (87th)

Referee: Karl Tyrell

Assistant Referees: Garnet Page, Lloyd Reader

Fourth Official: Kevin Morrison

Match Commissary: Horace Lewis