Tivoli Gardens FC have parted ways with Head Coach Christopher Bender, but their woes in the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) continued as they slumped to a 0-1 loss to the University of the West Indies FC in yesterday’s encounter at Edward Seaga Sports Complex.

Girvon Brown, who scored a treble for UWI when they beat Tivoli Gardens 5-2 earlier this season, was again the difference-maker, slamming home a left-footer in the 82nd minute. Tivoli’s Rodico Wellington, who was cautioned early in the second half, was shown a straight red card in the 87th minute. Tivoli had earlier missed the chance to take a first-half lead when UWI custodian Amal Knight saved Junior Flemmings’ penalty kick.

The victory put RSPL first-timers UWI into provisional fifth place on 30 points. It was a third win in their last six games for the Marcel Gayle-coached team. Tivoli, who had Assistant Coach Damion Gordon running affairs from the sideline, fell to 11th position with 19 points. The West Kingston team has now lost five of their last six games.

Tivoli came close to scoring inside the opening five minutes through Flemmings. The former schoolboy football star blasted a free kick from almost 35 yards that had Knight beaten, but the ball crashed into the upper right hand corner of the goal frame.

Not long after, Flemmings, Tivoli’s top goal scorer this season, had an even better opportunity to give his team the lead when Knight was judged to have fouled Javanie Mitchell inside the box.

But the goalkeeper made amends by diving to his right to parry Flemmings’ effort onto the upright. Knight got up quickly to claim the loose ball.

UWI threatened just before the half-time break after Tivoli made a mistake in their defensive third.

Tivoli Gardens left back Shawn McKoy’s misplaced pass was intercepted by UWI’s Anthony Greenland, but he fired a shot across goal instead of sliding the ball to the onrushing Brown.

Former national champions Tivoli were the more enterprising team in the second half and caused a few nervous moments for the university outfit. Flemmings forced Knight into an acrobatic save midway the half.

Minutes later, UWI defender Dravian Williams saved brilliantly on the line with an outstretched leg after Tivoli substitute Michael Ricketts seemed destined to score the opening goal of the game from six yards.

But Brown soon had the final say at the other end. The attacker was first to a bouncing ball and swiveled to fire past Tivoli’s veteran ‘keeper Edsel Scott from close range.