Tivoli Gardens FC continued their rampage ahead of the Yuletide break in the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) standing by blanking Harbour View FC 4-0 in a lopsided affair at Edward Seaga Complex yesterday.

A brace from veteran Jermaine “Teddy” Johnson in the 42nd and 62nd minutes, and strikes from Elton Thompson (11th) and Ajuma Johnson (82nd) propelled the West Kingston team to win number six on the trot.

The win pushed the Omar Edwards-coached team up to 31 points, but they remain in second position, three points behind champions Montego Bay United, with the final round of games to be played on Wednesday before the break.

Harbour View’s dismal trend has now resulted in them losing three of their last four games and they continue to linger in the lower half of the 12-team standing, just above the relegation zone on 16 points.

Having brushed aside their opponents 3-0 in an earlier meeting, coupled with their rich vein of form, Tivoli Gardens entered the contest as overwhelming favourites and they justified the claim within the first 45 minutes.

After being allowed to dictate terms in the early exchanges, Tivoli Gardens grabbed the ascendancy when a shot from Teddy Johnson was parried by custodian Devon Haughton, but only into the path of an unmarked Thompson, who stabbed home from close range.

The flat-looking “Stars of the East” showed very little signs of positive intent from there on, with their best effort on goal coming from 30 yards out through Captain John-Ross Edwards, which forced custodian Davin Watkins into a low save in the 31st minute.

Any thoughts of getting back on level terms were erased 11 minutes later when Haughton, after comfortably gathering a loose ball cleanly, unnecessarily threw his elbow into the face of Rohan Reid and conceded a penalty. Johnson took the onus to convert from the 12-yard spot to put the hosts 2-0 up at the break.

It was an even more rampant display from Tivoli Gardens on the resumption as the one-way traffic continued 12 minutes in, despite little signs of life from the uninspired Harbour View unit. The experienced Johnson turned two defenders before releasing a firm, right-footed effort from inside the area, but Haughton did well to deny him at the near post.

However, the former Reggae Boy would complete his brace and put Tivoli further ahead five minutes later. A good build-up, orchestrated by young Ajuma Johnson, allowed Reid to release the seasoned Johnson on the counter and he made no mistake, hitting past the advancing custodian.

Tivoli Gardens continued to apply consistent pressure which saw Thompson being brought down inside the area when sandwiched by Haughton and a recovering defender, but his appeal for a penalty was ignored by Referee Kevin Morrison.

But their despair was short-lived as the young Johnson, formerly of Camperdown High, arrived late at the far post to tap in a deceptive, right-sided cross from Mitchily Waul to cap off the emphatic victory.

Teams: Tivoli Gardens — Davin Watkins (Nicholas Clarke 85th), Shavar Campbell, Kemar Seivwright, Rushane Facey, Nicholas Smith, Rohan Reid (Marvin Stewart 83rd), Tevin Shaw, Ajuma Johnson, Jermaine Johnson, Elton Thompson (Miguel Ricketts 78th), Mitchily Waul

Subs not used: Nickoy Christian, Junior McGregor, Kimarly Leslie, Kevin Graham

Booked: J Johnson (69th), Seivwright (88th)

Harbour View — Devon Haughton, Hugh Evans (Omar Palmer 66th), Damarley Oliver, Andre Messam, Clayon Pusey (Daniel Green 65th), Nicholas Beckett, Rosario Harriott, John-Ross Edwards, Mark Miller, Ranique Muir (Michael Martin 76th), Le-Shaun Young

Subs not used: Christian Kluvi, Dario Stewart, Odane Samuels, Rickhardo Harriott

Booked: Haughton (40th)

Referee: Kevin Morrison

Assistant Referees: Keeble Williams, Stacy-Ann Greyson

Fourth Official: Cardella Samuels

Match Commissary: Howard Bell

Yesterday’s Results

Reno FC 0, Humble Lion 2

Arnett Gardens 0, Maverley/Hughenden 1

Tivoli Gardens 4, Harbour View 0

Portmore United 0, Waterhouse 0

Jamalco FC 2, Boys’ Town 1

Montego Bay United 1, UWI FC 0