August Town's Raymond Williamson heads a ball ahead of Boys' Town's Shane Edwards during their Digicel Premier League match yesterday. Boys' Town won 2-1. - Winston sill/freelance photographer

Tivoli Gardens started their post-Oraine Simpson era with a 2-1 win over St Georges in their top-of-the-table Digicel Premier League clash at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex last night to reclaim the league's top spot.

A minute's silence was observed in memory of the slain defender and T-shirts bearing his image were issued throughout the venue, as both teams took the field to battle for top honours in the competition.

The win left the west Kingston-based team in sole leadership on 19 points, one more than St Georges and with a game in hand against Harbour View to be played this Wednesday.

Tivoli put under pressure

Tivoli's assistant coach Max Straw conceded that they were put under immense pressure from their visitors, but shared that the team's would to win in memory of Simpson and their hunger for the points prevailed in the end.

Said Straw, "We didn't start the game as well as we would have wanted, St Georges, they played a high pressing game and we gave the ball up more than we would like to but the players came out to play for Oraine, we wanted to make sure we got this win to lift the gloom over Tivoli and we achieved it."

"We would have liked to be more flamboyant and comfortable but we didn't put away some of the chances that we had, but three points and a win at home, we can't ask for much more than that," he added.

On the pitch, both teams looked uninventive in the final third during the opening exchanges with the vast majority of the play being restricted to the midfield area.

Midfielder Horace Sharpe, however, made the most of some lethargic defending to send a powerful left-foot drive crashing into the back of the net, after being put through by teammate Dwight Heron from a dead-ball situation in the 13th minute.

The quality of the game suffered after the goal but striker Navion Boyd squandered a good chance to double his team's advantage in the 23rd minute but could only shoot over an empty goal after goal-keeper Randal Huie's attempted punch-out.

Corner kick

Sharpe and Jameel Thompson both had opportunities close to the end of the first half but could not convert.

Romeo Parkes almost stole an equaliser for St Georges shortly after the restart but Tivoli custodian Edsel Scott got down well at his near post to turn his effort outside for a corner kick.

Minutes later, national striker Navion Boyd should have scored his team's second of the night after being played through by strike partner Keammar Daley. With the goalkeeper at his mercy, Boyd steered his shot beyond the far post to keep the Portlanders in the tie.

St Georges tried their best during the closing stages but failed to get on level terms despite several nervy moments towards the end.

Coach Braxton Hyre applauded the efforts of his team and underlined their performance as a clear indication that they are a threat to any team in the league.

Said Hyre, "I think both teams played well, it was a good game and unfortunately we didn't score. I wouldn't say I am disappointed, I am pleased with the guys' efforts, it shows that we are here to compete."

Yesterday's other results

Rivoli 2

Devon Hodges 35th

Kirk Ramsey 81st

Portmore 0

Village United 0

Arnett 0

Sporting Central 1

JeVaughn Watson 55th

Waterhouse 2

Kevin Lamey 10th, 62nd

Harbour View 1

Alanzo Adlam 65th

Humble Lions 1

Errol Wilkie 88th