AFTER getting a luke-warm reception as head coach of Tivoli Gardens, Alvin Shaw, believes the players are now buying into his philosophy following an efficient 1-0 win over Humble Lion yesterday.

It was Tivoli Gardens’ second consecutive home win and it took a brilliant strike from discarded national midfielder Kaemmar Daley in the 37th minute to settle the issue.

“The players, I think, have gained confidence in me and they have bought into my philosophy and I think it is really paying off for us at the moment. They have stepped up their work rate and have been working hard,” noted Shaw, who took full control of the team this season following the resignation of Glendon ‘Admiral’ Bailey at the end of last season.

The improved-looking Tivoli Gardens, who dominated the game, were notching their fifth win from 12 games. They now moved to 18 points and provisionally into fifth spot on the 12-team points table.

The Linval Wilson-coached Humble Lion never looked the part and slumped to their eighth defeat from just 12 games to be rooted at the bottom with eight points.

Boasting a team that included at least five players with national experience in Devon Hodges, Wolry Wolfe, Ricardo Cousin, Jason Morrison, and Andrew Vanzie, plus the experience cast of Hugh Howell, Roberto Fletcher, Denzil Watson, Ajuran Brown, and goalkeeper Damion Crooks, the Clarendon-based team lacked verve and were bereft of ideas.

A disappointed head coach Linval ‘Palla’ Wilson, said his team will now face an uphill task in their fight against relegation.

“It’s going to be tough. The second round is where the premier league starts… it’s either you save yourself from relegation or get into the semi-final. So we will have to get it right,” said Wilson.

“I am very disappointed. We allowed them too much space in the fist half, we made the adjustment in the second half and we could have tied the game,” claimed Wilson.

But despite the close scoreline, Tivoli Gardens could have won by a wider margin following an inspired display led by Daley, Weston Forrest, Andre McFarlene, Navion Boyd, Lennox Creary, Rohan Reid, and tough-tackling defenders Kemar Flemmings and Ranike Anderson.

Meanwhile, champions Montego Bay United clipped Reno 3-2 and gained revenge following their Flow Champions Cup final loss.

A double strike by Bahamian Lesly St Fleur in the second and 64th minutes, along with Allan Ottey’s 54th-minute goal, pushed Montego Bay United to 22 points and provisionally into second spot.

Craig Foster replied for Reno in the 31st minute with his league-leading 11th goal of the season. An own goal in the 70th minute reduced the arrears, but Reno fell short at Frome but stayed in eighth spot on 14 points.