Justin Dunn moved clear atop of the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) scoring chart yesterday, following up his hat trick against Arnett Gardens with a brace against Humble Lion at Stadium East, to take his tally for the season to six.
The West Kingston-based club with two goals each from Dunn and Howard Morris turned back their opponents 4-1 for their third win from four matches.
Tivoli got off to the best possible start when Dunn fired past Nicholas Clarke after only two minutes of play.
However, Humble Lion remained positive and were rewarded for their efforts when a mix-up up in the Tivoli defence led to Barrington Pryce netting an own goal for the equaliser.
“We scored all the goals,” said Jerome Waite afterwards. “And that one goal they scored came down to a decision by the goalkeeper that led to an error.”
However, Tivoli are a more determined team this season under Waite, and in first half added time Morris latched on to a low cross and redirected past Clarke from six yards.
Both teams continued to trade attacks after the break, but it was Tivoli who got the breakthrough when Dunn ran on to a pass from Keno Simpson and slammed into the far corner.
Morris sealed the deal in the last minute, moments after missing a sitter from six yards, when he fired into the roof of the net from a similar position.
“He (Dunn) is disciplined, hardworking, willing to learn. He has an open mind to accept what the coaching staff have to offer. If he continues doing that, the sky’s the limit.
“This is the first Morris is up against a very serious challenge and every game he looks a little better,” Waite said of his goalscorer.
The win puts Tivoli in third place ahead of Portmore (fourth) on goal difference with both teams locked on nine points, three adrift of leaders Mount Pleasant, and Waite said their season remains on track.
“This is something we are all looking forward to from the Tivoli unit. So far they are doing well and we just have to take it one game at a time,” he said.
The defeat was Humble Lion’s first in four games and coach Andrew Price said his team was lacking in commitment and defensive solidity.
“Lacklustre. It was a lacklustre performance. I don’t think the team showed up today. I was disappointed with the type of commitment that I saw out there.
“It’s inexplicable and I didn’t expect it. We just have to put it down as a bad day, move on and get ready for the next game,” he said.
Humble Lion are seventh in the table with five points.