WESTERN BUREAU:
Montego Bay United FC captain Dwayne Ambusley netted his first goal for almost three seasons and only his second goal for the club, as they eased past Tivoli Gardens FC 2-0 in Monday night's Red Stripe Premier League football fixture at Montego Bay Sports Complex.
Afterwards, he dedicated the victory to his daughter, Shanice, who was celebrating her birthday, noting that he had promised something special and the goal was a fitting gift.
"I am delighted with the win because I kept my promise to my daughter to score tonight and get the win," the midfielder said.
"It is my first goal in about three years so it's special on that account. But the most important thing is that we won tonight," added Ambusley.
The win lifted the former champions level to the top on 37 points with Portmore United and two clear of defending champions Arnett Gardens FC.
Ambusley's goal, which gave his team a 12th minute lead, was rather fortuitous, as his intended cross swerved away from Tivoli's goalkeeper Edsel Scott and into the upper far corner of the goal
Mercurial striker Dino Williams also continued his fine goalscoring form, when he scored in the 28th minute in a dominant first half of football from the home side, in front of a partisan crowd.
Ambusley said they were determined to get the victory and heaped praise on Williams for his role in the team's success so far this season.
"We talked about it before the game that we needed to win this one and that Dino keeps scoring and it worked out that way. As team captain, I can't ask for nothing more."
MoBay's goalkeeper had a relatively quiet night between the posts, but was called to duty with a superb one-handed save to deny Jamoy Sibbles an equaliser at the 18th minute.
Williams was netting his League-leading 14th goal for the season, but the hard-running striker was taken off in second half action because of a lingering hamstring problem.
Tivoli's coach, Christopher Bender, said his side's struggle will have to be addressed with additional talent in the transfer window.
"We are not playing with enough confidence at the moment and of course the team missed Junior Flemmings greatly. He brings a certain calmness to the team and that was lacking tonight," Bender reasoned.
"There still a way to go in this up and down season for us, but we're hoping to get some wins and stay away from trouble," he said.
Tivoli, following their 10th loss this season, lie 10th in the 12-team standings and have a woeful defensive record, having shipped a league leading 28 goals in 19 matches.