Keisha Hill, Staff Reporter

August Town's Daniel Shaw (right) celebrates scoring against Tivoli Gardens during their Cash Plus Premier League match at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Bowl, Mona, yesterday. Shaw scored twice as August Town won 2-1. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

It was by no means an easy battle for Tivoli Gardens yesterday as they went down 1-2 to hosts August Town in the Cash Plus Premier League at UWI Bowl.

A new and revitalised August Town team, led by coach Hugh McCarthy, dominated most of the game with unrelenting pressure in midfield. This prevented Tivoli Gardens from moving the ball forward.

Striker Daniel Shaw of August Town netted two goals in the 35th and 42nd minute, respectively, to cement his team's position in the first half as they moved to 13 points.

Tivoli Gardens, which stayed second on 18 points, pushed hard, had numerous attacks but the brick wall defence of Rohan Reid, Orville Campbell and Aphas Bernard considerably reduced their chances.

By the second half, Tivoli were literally grabbing at straws and were given a lifeline through an 80th-minute goal from substitute Navion Boyd. Despite numerous attempts though in the time remaining, Tivoli Gardens failed to score.

A very irritated and disappointed Glendon Bailey, coach of Tivoli Gardens, was clearly upset regarding how the match was officiated.

Bailey stated: "The referees must give to us what is due to us. They are officiating the games poorly and creating havoc on football in the country."

He added: "We got too many chances in the game from the start to the finish and didn't capitalise on any. In the latter stages of the game, we made some tactical adjustments and had them on the backfoot, but still failed to capitalise on our chances," he said.

After winning for the first time in a while, McCarthy, who recently returned as coach, remarked: "August Town have finally won a game. I think the players and the community are quite upbeat about the victory.

"In terms of strategy, there isn't anything different from before but we are trying to change the mindset and the discipline of the players," he added.

August Town	2
Daniel Shaw 35th, 42nd Tivoli	1