Tivoli High earned their first points when they toppled Bridgeport High 2-0 to hand the Group D leaders their first defeat from three matches in the ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup Schoolboy football at home yesterday.

Andre Clarke opened the scoring from close up in the 24th minute to send them on their way, and they increased their lead when Shacquel Richards beat substitute goalkeeper Jahiem Williams with a sharp shot in the 63rd minute.

The leaders Bridgeport have six points after victories over Greater Portmore and Innswood; Denham Town and St Jago follow on four points each, with Tivoli fourth on three points. Innswood sit at the bottom with three points also, but with an inferior goal difference.

It was a win that coach Tommy Ricketts thoroughly enjoyed as it gave Tivoli Gardens High some well-needed traction in the competition.

“As I told you before the game, these three points would have been very important to team morale… so, this is a good win for us today (and we are) hoping that we can take it game after game until we can develop to come to the top of this group,” he said.

With the exception of the period when Tivoli lost Alex Brown in the 62nd minute for a second bookable offence, the home side were always in command to the point where they should have scored more goals. Richards, who actually sealed the victory, missed a glorious attempt from a cross by Wyan Nelson in the opening four minutes.

Bridgeport High coach Garnett Lawrence was unavailable for a comment after the game.

— Hurbun Williams