Daniel Shaw

A second-half brace from striker Daniel Shaw and a goal in the 39th minute from Gary Banton earned Portland's St Georges a 3-0 win over Tivoli in their Digicel Premier League on Sunday at Lynch Park, Buff Bay.

Winning coach Geoffery Maxwell was elated and commended the players for getting the much-needed three points, which made his team regain sole fifth place by advancing to 37 points, two ahead of Waterhouse, which drew 1-1 with Arnett Gardens.

"The guys played to instructions. I was forced to make a number of changes to the team which lost to Portmore last week, due to injuries and yellow cards. We now need to be more consistent," he added of his team, which lost its two previous matches.

Under windy conditions, Georges enjoyed the better of play in the opening minutes as Shaw, Damion Harwood, Kenief Lee and Leon Irving took the attack to Tivoli, who were forced back into defending.

But after soaking up most of the early pressure, Tivoli clawed their way back into the game and started to counter-attack through Oraine Simpson, Jermaine Allen, Owen Gordon, Kasai Hinds and Craig Stewart. However, defenders Hillelide Dean and Barrington James were equal to the task.

Deadlock broken

The deadlock was broken in the 39th minute when Banton picked up a loose ball just inside Tivoli's half and fired a powerful right-footed shot which, with assistance from the strong breeze, found its way into the back of the net, giving goalkeeper Edsel Scott no chance.

Tivoli came out in the second half searching for the equaliser and coach Max Straw made three substitutions, bringing on Sheldon Palmer to replace Jerry Walters in the 60th minute, Roy Forbes to replace Gordon in the 68th and Kevin Blackford to replace Stewart in the 76th.

But the move failed as Lee was brought down in the box in the 84th minute and Shaw fired the penalty kick to the left of Scott for a 2-0 lead.

Second goal

In the 90th minute, Shaw added a second goal after receiving a cross from substitute Richardo Watson and with Scott beaten at the front pass, he fired home for a 3-0 victory.

Straw, who accepted the defeat, was somewhat disappointed with the effort from his players.

"The first goal caught us off guard," he said. "But I believe we played well after. We came under pressure as we attempted to push players forward and as a result we gave up two more goals."

Tivoli dropped one place to fourth, as they remained on 42 points, one behind Boys' Town, which hammered Reno 5-0.