Cavalier SC returned to winning ways and inflicted more pain to an already wounded UWI FC, condemning the them to a second- consecutive defeat with a 1-0 scoreline in a lukewarm Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) contest at the Mona Bowl yesterday.

Michael Spence found the all-important goal in the 57th minute to send the youthful Cavalier team in fifth position on 24 points heading into the Yuletide break.

The Rudolph Speid-coached Cavalier have now joined UWI, who came in at fourth place on the same number of points and indentical goal difference.

Meanwhile, cellar dwellers Boys’ Town handed coach Andrew Price an early Christmas gift when they secured their second win in 17 games with a 2-1 beating of sixth-placed Reno FC (22 points) at Frome.

Elsewhere, Montego Bay United (20 points) and Humble Lion FC (19 points) provisionally moved to seventh and eighth place, respectively, following their 1-1 stalemate at Effortville Community Centre.

At the Mona Bowl, Cavalier signalled intentions from the kick-off when Nicholas Hamilton’s pass across the face of goal eluded custodian Jamal Knight, but Chevone Marsh failed to get the final touch.

There was very little much on offer thereafter, as both teams failed to create any meaningful chance in the final third.

In fact, the game only gradually came to life in the latter stages of the half when Cavalier threatened on successive occasions.

The first came when Knight did well diving full stretch to his right to deny Hamilton.

Minutes later, Marsh had a glorious opportunity when he pounced on a back pass from centre back Taniel McKenzie and caught Knight way off his line. He was hesitant in pulling the trigger in front of an empty net and the chance went a begging as they went to the break goalless.

UWI were more spirited on the resumption and launched a series of attacks, but they were thwarted by Cavaliers tight defensive line.

However, it was the visitors that found the go-ahead goal 12 minutes in when Spence dispossessed McKenzie deep in UWI’s half and broke away to fire past Knight to make it 1-0 three minute before the hour mark.

Teams:

UWI FC — Amal Knight, Deno Schaffe, Ryan Miller, Rochane Smith, Taniel McKenzie(Oshane Jenkins 67th), Fabion McCarthy, Davion Garrison(Stephen Barnett 67th), Jerondy Henry, Patrick Brown, Andrae Bernal, Kemoy Atkinson (Anthony Greenland 76th)

Subs not used: Jabari Wallace, Stephen Lowe, Daniel Gilzene

Booked: McKenzie (45th), Henry (48th), Smith (80th)

Cavalier SC — Jeadine White, Chevone Marsh, Kamoy Simpson, Oshane Roberts, Jamoy Topey, Nicholas Hamilton(Kemar Shaw 63rd), Dejanni Isaacs, Michael Spence(Kaheem Parris 73rd), Jerome Smith, Orlando Brown(George Pinnock 57th), David Mitchell

Subs no used: Romaine Sampson, Lastson Reid, Nickoy Christian, Marlon Laing

Booked: Smith (66th)

Referee: Tyrone Robinson

Assistant Referees: Oyinco McTaggart; Terrence McKenzie

Fourth Official: Weston Costly

Match Commissary: Howard Bell

— Sherdon Cowan