Rivoli United’s slim chance of avoiding relegation from the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) took a severe dent when they went down 0-1 to Tivoli Gardens FC in a hard-fought encounter at Spanish Town Prison Oval yesterday.

Tivoli’s defender Kemar Seivwright scored the winner in the 73rd minute.

The eighth-placed West Kingston-based club moves to 37 points, while the beleaguered hosts remain in 11th place with 30 points.

Rivoli started in the ascendancy and held considerable possession that was typified by short passes on the rough and uneven playing surface.

An early free kick from Kemar Bennett almost gave them the lead, but the curling shot was tipped over the bar by the diving Tivoli goalkeeper, Davin Watkins.

For their part, Tivoli tried to spring a few counter-attacks. On one such occasion, the former Reggae Boy Jermaine Johnson fed a pass to his Tivoli teammate Andre Morgan, but Rivoli goalkeeper Levor Williams went down well to save.

Tivoli Gardens, hunting points to stay clear of the drop zone, went out stronger in the second half. They almost got the go-ahead goal when Miguel Ricketts’ pass found its way to Johnson who fired powerfully at goal, but he saw his shot thump into the right upright and bounce harmlessly back into play.

A lot of the second half comprised scrappy football as the healthy wind at the venue increased intensity.

But Tivoli continued to push.

Midway the second period, Johnson’s poweful free kick forced a save from Williams.

And moments later Seivwright was alert to scramble home a left-footer from close range after Rivoli failed to properly clear a Tivoli corner kick.

Rivoli were unable to get a comeback goal and are staring down the barrel with only two games remaining in the preliminary phase of the RSPL.

— Sanjay Myers