PROMOTED outfit Dunbeholden FC continue their fight to avoid relegation as they registered a second win on the trot with a 2-1 result over Tivoli Gardens, in a rain-affected Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) contest at Royal Lakes Complex yesterday.

Goals in either half by Shevon James (38th) and Orett Richards in the 52nd, respectively were enough to secure three points for the St Catherine-based side, which remains in 11th position on 19 points.

The Michael Cohen-coached Dunbeholden are one point behind 10th-place FC Reno, who were scheduled to play yesterday’s late contest against Harbour View FC.

Andre Moulton pulled one back for Tivoli Gardens in minute 84. The West Kingston side have once again slipped into seventh position on 28 points, one ahead of Humble Lion, who were 2-0 winners over second-place Cavalier FC (37 points) at Effortville Community Centre.

At Royal Lakes both teams started positively but Tivoli Gardens gradually gained the ascendancy as they were more enterprising in the attacking third and seemed well set to break the deadlock.

They went close in the 36th minute when TKevin Garnett split three defenders to latch on to a loose ball, but his right-footed effort was just deflected over the crossbar.

However, Tivoli Gardens’ high press game left them susceptible to the counter and Dunbeholden took full advantage of the space on their way to breaking the deadlock against the run of play.

Dwayne Smith started the play down the left channel with a long pass to Lorenzo Dubidad, who controlled beautifully at the top of the arc before rolling off a pass for James to rifle into the top of the net from close range.

The score remained unchanged at the break and so too did the momentum on the resumption, as Dunbeholden doubled the lead seven minutes in when Richards fired home from deep inside the 18-yard area.

With a two-goal deficit against them Tivoli Gardens were relentless in their pursuit to close the gap and by extension equalise, and as such caused some problems for Dunbeholden’s defensive unit.

Garnett continued to be a menace to the backline and saw his first attempt in the 53rd minute coming back off the upright with custodian Eric Edwards beaten, and a left-footed effort two minutes later was charged down as the heavens opened.

Despite the heavy downpour Tivoli Gardens continued to dictate terms well past the hour mark as Dunbeholden offered very little on the attacking end, with their aim seemingly being to preserve their lead.

But their defensive armour eventually gave in to the consistent pressure of Tivoli Gardens when Moulton easily rolled one past Edwards from close range.

That goal sparked more fire in Tivoli’s attacking thrust but Dunbeholden offered very little room to manoeuvre at that point, and too little too late would be the cry when the final whistle sounded.

TEAMS:

Dunbeholden FC — Eric Edwards, Jevon Angel, Dwayne Smith, Shaquille Dyer, Samar Rowe, Shevon James, Kevin Reid, Graeme Green, Orett Richards (Maurice Mais 73rd), Narado Brown (Newton Sterling 76th), Lorenzo Dubidad (Nickoy Christian 78th)

Subs not used: Giovanni Smith, Leon Strickland, Demario Phillips, Neko Williams

Booked: Angel (24th), James (48th)

Tivoli Gardens — Deran Duncon, Kemar Seivwright, Barrington Pryce, Shavar Campbell, Hugh Evans, Arthur Walters (Trayvone Reid 50th), Tkevin Garnett (Jermaine Johnson 73rd), Tevin Shaw, Andre Moulton, Sean Coleman (Rodrico Wellington 50th), Colorado Murray

Subs not used: Nicholas Clarke, Ezran Simpson, Shaquille Jones, Davion Goulbourne

Booked: Pryce (50th), Evans (71st)

Referee: Oshane Nation

Assistant Referees: Ojay Duhaney; Rickton Archer

Fourth Official: Kasa Plummer

Match Commissary: Anthony Gibbs