Regulation-threatened Rivoli United FC defeated the University of the West Indies (UWI) 4-3 in a seven-goal thriller in the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) at the Spanish Town Prison Oval yesterday.

Kemar Bennett (10th minute), Valentine Gardner (16th minute), Nicholas Scott (56th minute) and Dellon Dixon (72nd minute) made sure that Rivoli United got all three important points they needed to keep their hopes alive to experience another season in the island’s top flight.

UWI got their goals through Deno Schaffe (37th minute), Anthony Grant (67th minute) and Girvon Brown (penalty 88th minute).

By virtue of yesterday’s victory, Rivoli United, who started the day on 23 points in 11th position — eight points behind Boys’ Town and Reno on 31 points each — are now five points adrift on 26.

At press time, Boys’ Town and Reno were locked in a battle of teams fighting to move farther away from the drop zone.

At Spanish Town, both teams took some time to settle due to slick underfoot conditions from early afternoon rain.

After a spell dealing with the wet turf, it was the home side who took control of the game when Bennett, who was left unmarked at the top of the box, shot past a diving Amal Knight in goal for UWI in the 10th minute.

The celebration continued six minutes later when Gardner’s low, powerful strike from 20 yards slipped under the hands of Knight as Rivoli United went 2-0 up.

UWI was then rewarded for their hard work when Schaffe rose above the Rivoli United defence to head home in the 38th minute to end the first half 2-1 in favour of the home team.

Shortly after the resumption, Rivoli United got their third goal through Scott who fired home from point-blank range, but his shot was blocked by custodian Knight.

UWI then pulled one back when Grant, who received a through pass in the box, easily tapped home.

Dixon then restored the two-goal advantage for Rivoli United, when he skilfully floated the ball into the goal.

UWI cut the deficit when Brown converted from the penalty spot.

Teams:

Rivoli United — Marlon Henry, Liston James, Jeremy Nelson, Kemar Bennett, Kevin Graham (Owen Walters (70th), Lenworth Pine, Ross Burton, Nicholas Scott, Daniel Roberts (Rajay Sutherland 64th), Valentine Gardner and Shaun Hinds.

Sub not used: Levor Williams, Troy Milton, Dellon Dixon, Richard Reid and Damion Stewart.

Booked: Pine (26th), Hinds (88th).

UWI FC — Amal Knight, Jamie Robinson, Rochane Smith, Dravian Williams, Anthony Grant, Kemar Flemmings, Akeem Thenstead (Patrick Brown 64th), Jamie Samuel, Nicolas McMorris, Deno Schaffe and Girvon Brown.

Sub not used: Davion Garrison, Anthony Greenland, Stephen Lowe, Simon Bennett Jerondy Henry and Ricardo Tracey.

Book: Robinson (38th), Garrison (81st) and Brown (89th).

Referee: Karl Tyrell

Assistant Referees: Omar Mills and Damion Williams

Fourth Official: Odette Hamilton

Match Commissioner: Raymond Anderson