Colorado Murray came off the bench to score twice as Tivoli Gardens FC won their Red Stripe Premier League game against hosts Waterhouse FC on Sunday night.

The visitors had fallen behind after Kenroy Lumthen had put through his own net while attempting a clearance in the third minute of the game.

Having seen his team thoroughly outplayed in the first half, Tivoli Gardens Coach Omar Edwards made the tactical and personnel adjustments that led to the win.

Murray was introduced midway the second half and his runs immediately put the Waterhouse defence under pressure. It was one of those runs that led to the equaliser from the 22-year-old as he lashed home a loose ball from the right side of the box to make it 1-1 in the 83rd minute.

Tivoli Gardens maintained the pressure on the home team and were rewarded for their persistence when Murray found the winner in the fourth minute of added time. What should have been a simple take for the Waterhouse goalkeeper ended up being a simple tap-in for the persistent striker, who was quite pleased with his personal contribution to the game.

“Honestly, I am very pleased with the coaching staff because they put the trust in me and believed in me from day one. Coming on and making a difference means a lot to me and the coaching staff, just to give back to them, because there was a lot of pressure on the strikers, so scoring two goals, I feel very proud,” he said.

Having sat on the bench for most of the game, he was able to observe the weakness of the Waterhouse team and knew where to attack them when he was called upon.

“I realised the two centre halves are very slow and I knew that my pace, added to the game, would make a big difference, so coming on and doing the job means a lot,” said the former Excelsior High School Manning Cup star.

After beginning the season with back-to-back losses, Tivoli Gardens have now picked up 12 points from their last six games, and this has led to a much better mood in the camp of the West Kingston-based club.

“There is a tremendous mood in the camp right now; the team has come as one and the coaching staff has come as one. We pray about these things, so now that it has happened all we have to do is thank God for everything.

“I am pleased with our position, but I need to be at the top of the table. Giving up some points at the early stages was bad, so now going up the table has led to a better feeling in the camp, so the mood is great,” he explained.

Sunday’s win moved Tivoli up to fifth position, a place and a point behind Harbour View FC, who were also winners on the day, as the ‘Stars of the East’ clipped UWI FC 1-0 at the Mona Bowl.

— Dwayne Richards