Tivoli Gardens kept the pressure on the leaders after a 2-0 victory over Jamalco FC in their Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) encounter at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex on Thursday.

Jermaine Johnson scored in the 10th minute and Elton Thompson scored in the 76th minute for Tivoli Gardens.

With the victory, Tivoli Gardens, who remained in third position, moved to 48 points — two points behind leaders the University of the West Indies (UWI) on 50 points. Humble Lion are second on 49 points, while Jamalco with 26 points remained in 10th position.

It was a bright start for the home side as they went in front after Johnson easily converted from the penalty spot, which gave Jamalco goalkeeperShauntel Mundel very little chance of pulling off a save.

The goal influenced the next 35 minutes of the first half as both teams went on the attack, but neither could ignite any sparks.

Both Tivoli Gardens and Jamalco got numerous opportunities in front of goal and both squandered scoring chances. Their shots were either blocked by the goalkeepers or went wide of goal. Tivoli Gardens, who enjoyed most of the ball possession, went to the break the happier team with the 1-0 lead.

Both teams went on the attack on the resumption, but again both were unable to find the target. The home team, however, got a glorious opportunity to extend their lead, but Howard Morris’s weak strike from inside the 18-yard box was easily picked up by Mundel in the 59th minute.

The ding-dong battle continued for the next 11 minutes at which the home team began to dominate the visitors.

Kemar Seivwright should have got the second goal for Tivoli Gardens in the 70th minute, but he failed to latch onto a through pass as the ball brushed the left upright.

Another opportunity came six minutes later when Thompson, who dribbled from the half line, watched his short sail over the crossbar.

Thompson eventually got the crowd cheering when he skilfully squeezed the ball passed Mundel in goal to put Tivoli Gardens 2-0 up. No more fireworks erupted as Tivoli Gardens got home comfortably for their second win from their last five games.

In other games, Boys’ Town and UWI ended 0-0 at Barbican.

Teams

Tivoli Gardens — Davin Watkins, Kemar Seivwright, Barrington Pryce, Romaine Brakenridge, Kevin Graham, Rohan Reid, Mitchilly Waul (Jermaine Parris 63rd), Howard Morris (Peter Keyes 71st), Junior McGregory, Jermaine Johnson (Miquel Ricketts 68th) and Elton Thompson

Sub not used — Edsel Scott, Rushane Facey, Donavan Dawkins and Ajuma Johnson

Booked: Reid (24th), Brakenridge (90th— ejected)

Jamalco — Shauntel Mundel, Levor Williams, Ajuran Brown, Laston Reid (Andrew Pang 54th), Roshane Sharpe, Andre Dawson, Ronnaldo Christian, Sean Coleman, Akeem Henry, Peter Brown (Michealos Martin 80th) and Ramone Plummer (Issac Andrew 68th)

Sub not used — Chadwick Simpson, Shandel Senior, Dale Watson and Maurice Johnson

Booked: Reid (34th)

Referee: Oshane Nation

Assistant Referees: Stephanie Yeesing and Jassett Kerr

Fourth Official: Dyoen Tummings

Match Commissioner: Horace Lewis