Fourth-placed Humble Lion FC moved farther from the chasing pack after clipping fifth-placed Tivoli Gardens FC in the Red Stripe Premier League match at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex yesterday.

The recently signed Francois Swaby scored the winner for the visiting team in the first minute of first-half stoppage time.

With victory, Humble Lion move to 41 points from 26 games, while Tivoli Gardens, suffering their second loss in a row, stay on 38.

Lion head coach Donovan Duckie, referring to the importance of clinging onto that vital semi-final spot, told the Jamaica Observer that it was a “huge” win, but he conceded there is still “a lot of work to do”.

It was Duckie’s first win at Tivoli’s base in his nine years as a top flight coach.

Tivoli coach Alvin Shaw said it was a “tough loss”, but he credited his players for fighting hard.

Both teams began nervously and struggled to keep possession in the early exchanges on the coarse, bumpy playing surface.

Eventually both adopted a degree of patience in their approach play, but harmless speculative shots from distance was the best either team could muster for most of the half.

As the half-time break approached, Tivoli Gardens’ Lennox Creary saw his half volley sail wide. The miss proved costly as Swaby struck at the opposite end, only moments later.

Swaby, the former Sporting Central Academy player, guided a header from a throw-in which sneaked past goalkeeper Davin Watkins at his near post.

Nursing their 1-0 advantage, Humble Lion defended stoutly and were hardly troubled throughout the second half.

Tivoli, though brimming with energy, lacked the required cutting edge in the attacking third to unlock the visitors’ defence.

Teams:

Tivoli Gardens — Davin Watkins, Kemar Flemmings, Fitzroy Campbell, Barrington Pryce, Robert Williams (Rodico Wellington 74th), Rohan Reid, Andre Morgan (Andre McFarlane 59th), Shawn McKoy, Keammar Daley, Lennox Creary (Jamoy Sibblies 72nd), Junior Flemmings.

Subs not used: Deron Duncan, Shavar Campbell, Mark Williams, Ajuma Johnson

Booked:  Flemmings (39th), Pryce (41st), Campbell (58th)

Humble Lion — Damion Crooks, Ricardo Campbell, Ronaldo Christian, Hugh Howell, Kevon Reid, Andrew Vanzie, Ricardo Cousins,  Leaunghn Williams (Wolry Wolfe 74th), Jermaine Christian (Roberto Fletcher 90+4), Kemeel Wolfe, Francois Swaby (Omando McLeod 89th).

Subs not used: Garth Heron, Sean Coleman, Ajuran Brown, Horace Sharpe

Booked: L Williams (69th), Christian (13th)

Referee: Oshane Nation

Assistants: Garnet Page, Melvin Reid

Fourth Official: Leon Brown

Match Commissary: Martin Lyn

— Sanjay Myers