Humble Lion Football Club (FC) moved into a striking position in the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) after an exciting 1-0 win over struggling Cavalier SC at Stadium East on Sunday.

The all-important goal came from the right boot of Devon Hodges in the 77th minute.

Humble Lion FC, who were winning their second-consecutive game, jumped two places up to third on 15 points behind Montego Bay United FC (17 points), who were scheduled to face Arnett Gardens FC last night, and Portmore United FC (15 points).

It was the third-consecutive defeat for Cavalier SC and fifth from the last six games as they remain in 10th position on eight points.

Both teams struggled to hold onto possession of the ball at the start of the game due to wet conditions. As the game progressed, the visiting Humble Lion FC took early control of the match, creating numerous chances, but failed to convert from scoring opportunities.

Humble Lion FC’s first real chance came in the 23rd minute, but Kevon Reid’s free kick from 30 yards flew over Cavalier’s SC crossbar. Five minutes later, Levaughn Williams’ solo effort breached Cavalier’s SC defence, but he dribbled straight at Carlloyd Walters in goal, who easily snatched the ball from his feet.

Cavalier SC responded immediately on the counter on the right flank and could have scored when Jerome Smith’s beautiful curling pass picked out Chevone Marsh at the far post of Humble Lion’s goal, but his header was denied by the upright in the 29th minute of play.

As the momentum swang between the teams, Humble Lion once again created a goalscoring opportunity, but Reid’s header, from a swinging corner kick, was denied by a great save from Walters as both teams battled to a 0-0 scoreline at the half.

With the first half being evenly matched, the hosts came out attacking on the resumption and were nearly rewarded right away when Marsh received a through pass, but his strike rattled Humble Lion’s upright in the 50th minute.

Cavalier SC continued to press forward in their quest for a goal and, in so doing, dominated their visitors by being the more aggressive team with some threatening strikes.

Although on the back foot, Humble Lion FC found a little life when Ricardo Cousin skilfully skipped past two Cavalier SC defenders and slammed a powerful shot goalward, but Walters got both of his hands on the ball, turning it away for a corner on minute 69.

Marsh then created another opportunity for Cavalier SC in the 72nd minute when he whipped the ball across the face of Humble Lion’s goal, but there was no one there to latch on to the ball.

With Humble Lion FC now gathering their passes together with some one-two touches, Devon Hodges got inside the 18-yard area, received a through pass, and launched a low, powerful shot that flew past a diving Walters to give the visitors what turned out to be the decisive goal of the match.

Teams:

Humble Lions — Kadeem Davis, Ricardo Cousins, Dwayne Campbell (Wolry Wolfe 56th), Devon Hodges, Hugh Howell, Gregory Lewis, Kevon Reid, Fabian Pascoe, Andrew Vanzie, Leaughn Williams (Michael Morland 72nd) and Kemiel Wolfe (Jermaine Christian 53rd).

Sub not used: Sanchez Lloyd, Roberto Fletcher, Kevaughn Isaacs, and Shavon Campbell.

Booked: None

Cavalier SC — Carlloyd Walters, Shawn Lawes, Donovan Alveranga, Jeffrey Grant, Dellano Anderson (Akean Shackleford 83rd), Jason Watsonzn Jeffrey Henry, Jerome Smith (Shamar Smith 83rd), Chevone Marsh, Dawyne Smith (Shamar Dillion 83rd) and Ryan Smith.

Sub not used: Raheem Ellis, Norman Bailey, Nicholas Hamilton and Joel Johnson.

Booked: Henry (73rd), Grant (87th)

Referee: Veralton Nembard

Assistant Referees: Keble Williams, Sean Wright

Fourth Official: Tyrone Robinson

Match Commissioner: Martin Lyn