SPORTING Central Academy turned in an impressive display to beat home team Tivoli Gardens 3-2 in their Red Stripe Premier League match at the Edward Seaga Complex yesterday.

Goals by Michael Mooreland (27th), François Swaby (63rd) and substitute Richard Reid (70th) pushed Sporting to their second consecutive win and sixth overall from 15 games. They climbed to their highest position for a while, jumping into fifth spot, provisionally with 20 points.

Tivoli Gardens, in their second match at home, are yet to defeat Sporting Central, having drawn 0-0 at the same venue on December 1, and they have slipped two places to ninth on 18 points.

Kaemmar Daley had given Tivoli Gardens a seventh- minute lead before Rohan Reid hit a consolation in the 85th minute as they slumped to their third-consecutive loss. Tivoli Gardens’ Assistant Coach Alvin Shaw thought complacency crept in after taking an early lead.

“It was very disappointing, because we were hoping to start the new year on a high, but we will have to just keep working at it. We have a very talented squad, and I am confident eventually they will turn things around,” said Shaw.

“We scored early and became complacent and allowed Sporting to get back in the game and eventually they took advantage,” he added.

Sporting Central’s coach Nigel Stewart was clearly a happy man after his team’s splendid away win. “I thought we came here today and we dug deep. We played Humble Lion last week and lost with 10 men, and that strength and vigour we brought over into today’s game.”

Before kick-off, the home team’s manager, Brian Rose, was rushed to hospital by head coach Glendon Bailey, after fainting, but that didn’t stop them from taking an early lead.

Daley gave them the lead as his high free kick, aided by a strong winds, totally wrong-footed goalkeeper Gerald Eastwood.

But Sporting Central hit back with a brilliant counter-attack from a Tivoli Gardens corner kick. Sporting won the ball at the edge of the box and, after two passes, Mooreland was left one-on-one with goalkeeper Edsel Scott and he calmly slotted home. Then the outstanding Swaby curled a beautiful free kick from the edge of the box, making it 2-1. Reid, who came on in the 57th minute, chased what seemed like an aimless pass, but got the better of two defenders and slotted home.

The lanky Rohan Reid pulled one back for Tivoli Gardens from close range following a goalmouth melée.

Meanwhile, at Collie Smith Drive, Boys’ Town defeated Rivoli United 3-1 and moved provisionally into sixth spot on 19 points, just ahead of Rivoli United also with 19 points.

Garfield Gillespie gave Boys’ Town a 39th-minute lead before Andre Dawson doubled the advantage in the 55th minute. Davion Garrison pulled one back for Rivoli in the 56th minute before Dawson completed the win in minute 85.

TEAMS: Tivoli Gardens — Edsel Scott, Kasai Hinds, Damion Gordon, Ranike Anderson, Christopher Jackson, Rohan Reid, Kaemmar Daley, Dwayne Smith, Shawn McKoy (Daniel Gelzine 50th), Jamoy Sibbles (Rafiek Thomas, 56th), Shavar Campbell (Nicholas Scott 56th).

Subs not used: Deron Duncan, Jamie Robinson, Richard Williams, Richard Allison.

Booked: Anderson (19th), Sibbles (29th), Daley (42nd).

Sporting Central — Gerald Eastwood, Michael Mooreland (Hoggarth Nugent 87th), Linval Lewis, Kemar Drake, Dale Watson, Derron McLeod, Ramoy Parkins (Richard Reid 57th), Dwayne Campbell, François Swaby, Mikhail Howell (Kadian Wynter 69th), Camaal Reid.

Subs not used: Michael Parcell, Andre Morrison, Kevon Reid, Matthew Davidson.

Booked: Howell (31st), Campbell (33rd), Camaal Reid (71st).

Referee: Dwight Royal

Assistant Referees: Kedlee Powell, Richard Washington

Fourth Official: Raymond Bogle

Match Commissary: Martin Lyn