AN electrifying performance from Junior Flemmings capped by a late goal, carried Tivoli Gardens to a stupendous 3-2 win against champions Arnett Gardens in their Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) game at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex Monday night.

It was the third win in succession this season for Tivoli Gardens and the colossal effort catapulted the West Kingston team into third place in the RSPL points standing on 11 points after leapfrogging Humble Lion, Rivoli United and Arnett Gardens from the sixth position.

The zest with which the victory was accomplished would have pleased any coach and Christopher Bender could not have been more elated with the victory and character of his team. “It was a game that we knew that we had to win. This meant it had to be a collective effort to produce a positive result even when the opposition are the defending champions.

“A positive frame of mind was paramount in approach and that made us overcome the odds we faced. But the struggle does not end there. We must continue to work much harder, to improve and to maintain good useful form as a team if we are to continue in a similar stream. Then let us see where it takes us,” Bender said.

His opposite number Jerome Waite thought Tivoli Gardens played well, but lamented the fact that “we fail to turn up for this game. Arnett Gardens are a much better team than we saw on Monday night. When we went a goal down, drew level, then redoubled our efforts then went ahead it shows clearly that Arnett Gardens are a team of character”.

“Our mid-field which is the dynamo of the team fell way below expectations and that I believe put undue pressure on defence and attack. We also had some issues in the goalkeeping department that contributed to the poor showing. But all is not lost. We just have some work to do,” Waite concluded.

At no time did the Arnett Gardens defenders look capable of coping with the speed and guile of Jermaine Johnson and when he departed Flemmings took over, especially from the dead ball situation. But even before Johnson departed the free-kicks from Flemmings had the Arnett Gardens defence hamstrung.

Both the first and second goals for Tivoli Gardens resulted from free kicks taken by Flemmings. Ranike Anderson was first to score after beating towering defender Oniel Thompson to head into an open goal as goalkeeper Peter Harrison was late off his line.

Then second half substitute Otis Friend, who replaced Johnson, was on spot to poke home a rebound off the crossbar following a free kick struck by Flemmings just from outside the box that brought the teams level at 2-2 all after Andrew Phang had cancelled out Anderson’s go-ahead goal on the stroke of half-time.

Working tirelessly all afternoon, Flemmings then crowned a glorious night’s work with a goal that gave Tivoli Gardens victory.

Teams: Arnett Gardens FC – Peter Harrison, Oniel Thompson, Dicoy Williams, Jameel Thompson, Andrew Phang (Kenneil Hyde 65th), Steve Clarke (Newton Sterling 73rd), Kemal Malcolm, Vishinul Harris, Jabeur Johnson, Michaelos Martin (Dasha Satchwell 85th), Jason Moore

Subs not used: Damian Hyatt, Jamar Martin, Jarmar Jackson, Neicko Williams

Booked: O Thompson (32nd), J Thompson (38th)

Tivoli Gardens – Robert Scott, Shavar Campbell, Theo Brown, Ranike Anderson, Shawn McKoy, Rohan Reid, Andre Morgan, Nickoy Christian (Narado Brown 84th), Jermaine Johnson (69th), Junior Flemmings, Miguel Ricketts (Rodico Wellington 77th)

Subs not used: Davin Watkins, Christopher Jackson, Romaine Brackenridge, Leroy Jones

Booked: Johnson (23rd), Morgan (39th)

Referee: Karl Tyrell

Assistant Referees: Stacy-Ann Grayson, Stephanie Dale-Yee Sing

Fourth Official: Kevin Morrison

Match Commissioner: Ewan Scott