A brace by former national representative Jermaine “Teddy” Johnson propelled Tivoli Gardens to a 2-1 win over Portmore United as they returned to winning ways in the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) at Edward Seaga Complex yesterday.

Johnson’s goals, which came in the 43rd and 67th minutes, also saw him taking over sole leadership of the league’s top-scoring chart with 12 goals, ahead of Boys’ Town’s Shamar Nicholson on 11.

Captain Ewan Grandison pulled one back for Portmore United in the 45th minute.

The fleet-footed attacking midfielder’s winner sparked scenes of wild celebration from the large home crowd in what was a mostly pedestrian and colourless display until a late surge of pressure against a tiring Portmore United outfit.

With the win, the west Kingston team provisionally slipped into third position on 45 points, while Portmore United remain on 41 points in fifth position on the 12-team standing.

Meanwhile, The University of the West Indies (UWI) consolidated their lead atop the standings, and inched up to 47 points, following a goalless scoreline against 10th place Maverley/Hughenden.

Waterhouse FC continued their march away from the danger area with a 1-0 over the other promoted outfit Jamalco FC at the Wembley Centre of Excellence.

At Edward Seaga Complex, both teams took some time to settle in what was largely a scrappy opening 45 minutes and it took until the latter stages of the half for those in attendance to be treated with goals.

The hosts went in front from the 12-yard spot when Johnson stepped up to convert, after Junior McGregor was bundled over inside the area by Roberto Johnson.

But Portmore pulled level two minutes later on the stroke of the break through a well-taken right-sided corner kick by Grandison, which was aided by the wind in beating custodian Davin Watkins at his far post.

Tivoli Gardens came to life on the resumption and completely outplayed their opponents.

They found the go-ahead goal 22 minutes in when Johnson calmly slotted past the hapless Shaven-Sean Paul in goal for Portmore United from the edge of the box, after Roberto Johnson carelessly surrendered possession deep inside their area.The Omar Edwards-coached Tivoli Gardens unit continued to apply consistent pressure and could have won by a wider margin, but for a lack of composure in the final third on the part of McGregor.

However, the much-needed victory will go down as a very small building block in restoring the team’s confidence, following two-consecutive losses prior.

Edwards welcomed the three points.

“It was very good that we got the victory to continue to ensure that the leaders don’t run away from us; it was a physical encounter, but nonetheless we managed to get over it and got two goals as Jermaine Johnson came up big again. So, all in all, it was a good victory and a deserved one for us,” he told journalists in a post-game interview.

Meanwhile, Lenworth Hyde, technical director of Portmore United, was left disappointed.

“We made a silly mistake at the back and gave the striker the ball and he scored. We can’t make those kinds of mistakes in this Premier League and we paid the consequences for that error,” he lamented.

Nicholas Smith, Marvin Stewart (Rohan Reid 75th), Tevin Shaw, Shavar Campbell, Junior McGregor, Jermaine Johnson (Elton Thompson 73rd), Miguel Ricketts, Mitchily Waul (Jermaine Parris 61st)

Teams: Tivoli Gardens — Davin Watkins, Barrington Pryce, Romaine Brakenridge,

Nicholas Smith, Marvin Stewart (Rohan Reid 75th), Tevin Shaw, Shavar Campbell, Junior McGregor, Jermaine Johnson (Elton Thompson 73rd), Miguel Ricketts, Mitchily Waul (Jermaine Parris 61st)

Subs not used: Howard Morris, Nicholas Clarke, Rushane Facey, Peter Keyes

Booked: Johnson (25th)

Portmore United — Shaven-Sean Paul, Damano Solomon, Andre Dyce, Kareen Manning, Roberto Johnson (Javon East 72nd), Ewan Grandison, Ricardo Morris, Michael Binns (Shai Smith 84th), Kemo Gayle, Cleon Pryce, Jermie Lynch

Subs not used: Kemar Foster, Christopher Stone, Henrico Ricketts, Damion Binns, Demetri Dunkley

Booked: Manning (27th), Grandison (31st), Lynch (50th)

Referee: Odette Hamilton

Assistant Referees: Jassett Kerr, Lloyd Reader

Fourth Official: Doyen Tummings

Match Commissary: Anthony Cooke