Tivoli Gardens' Michael Blygen (centre) celebrates scoring a goal with teammates Kevin Blackford (right) and Jameel Thompson during their Digicel Premier League match against Waterhouse at Drewsland Mini Stadium yesterday. Thompson scored the other goal in Tivoli's 2-0 win. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

CRACKING second-half goals from champions Tivoli Gardens yesterday sentenced Waterhouse to their second straight loss and a miserable start to the new Premier League season under returning coach Geoffrey Maxwell.

Jameel Thompson turned in Keammar Daley's free kick from the edge of the six-yard box in the 54th minute and substitute Michael Blygen unleashed a powerhouse from the left arch of the penalty box a minute from time to send Waterhouse supporters streaming out of Drewsland, not amused with Maxwell's decision to use a solitary striker for most of the match.

The champions temporarily climbed atop the standings to six points, awaiting Portmore United's late game against Arnett Gardens at Ferdie Neita Park, as no other team managed to take full points from yesterday's early games.

Tivoli coach Lenworth Hyde Sr, whose side trailed newcomers Humble Lions 1-0 at home last Sunday before rallying for a 3-2 win, said he was satisfied with their defence against Waterhouse.

Improving Defensively

"This week was a different thing," he said. "We kept a clean sheet. Defensively, we're improving," he added.

Tivoli were kept in check for the first half as Waterhouse's man-markers, Roger Rodney and Rohan Amos, kept Roland Dean and Navion Boyd relatively quiet.

Despite playing sound defensively and looking better in attack in the first half, being fed numerous squares from the right by Kenardo Forbes, Waterhouse were let down in not having any of their midfielders coming forward to support lone striker Jermaine Anderson.

The Drewsland team failed to keep its shape after the break and paid the price.

"We were doing well up to the first goal and they lifted their game after that, we didn't," he said.

Quizzed about coming under pressure after two losses, Maxwell got mathematical.

"I don't feel any pressure," he said. "The Premier League is 38 games long with 114 points up for grabs. Teams are known to win with 70-odd points so I'm under no pressure," he added.

Summary

Digicel Premier League summary after the second round of matches yesterday.

Waterhouse 0 Tivoli 2 at Drewsland Mini Stadium

GOALS: Tivoli - Jameel Thompson 54th, Michael Blygen 89th

Boys' Town 2 Harbour View 2 at Collie Smith Drive

GOALS: Boys' Town:- Peter Keyes 13th, Xavian Virgo 26th; Harbour View Christopher Harvey 47th, Lovell Palmer 73rd

Sporting Central 0 Village 0 at Brancourt

St Georges 0 Humble Lions 0 at Lynch Park

August Town 0 Rivoli 0 at UWI Bowl

LATE GAME: Portmore vs Arnett Gardens at Ferdie Neita Park