Daraine Luton, Staff Reporter

Tivoli Gardens' Fabian Davis (left) reacts under a challenge from behind by Harbour View's Donald Stewart during their Wray and Nephew National Premier League match at Edward Seaga Stadium yesterday. Tivoli hammered Harbour View 4-0. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

PRIOR to the start of yesterday's game, Tivoli Gardens were able to muster a mere four goals at home in four games of the Wray and Nephew National Premier League.

But old nemesis Harbour View could barely leave the Edward Seaga Sports Complex last evening. Tivoli had suddenly located their shooting boots and did not hesitate to dish out a comprehensive 4-0 beating as the curtains fell on the first round.

Nicholas McCreath, a Harbour View expatriate, hit a brace (21 and 89th minutes) for the home team, complementing strikes from Derrick Planter (9th) and Fabian Davis (86th).

The win was Tivoli's fourth in 11 games and their second at home.

Harbour View, who play Water-house in the first End-of-Round final on Sunday, were suffering their second defeat in 11 games.

Despite the impressive win, which contrasted sharply to the threatening dark skies that formed the backdrop, the Tivoli camp is not totally happy.

Their coach Calvert Fitzgerald wants to see more of the chances converted.

"We are still missing a lot of scoring opportunities. We scored four goals but missed about five or six. I am happy for the four goals but I am still worried that the team is not converting a higher percentage of the chances," Fitzgerald said.

Planter created daylight between the hard-running teams on nine minutes with a full-blooded drive from the top of the area.

Twelve minutes later, Roland Dean made good on a pass from midfield, getting off a shot which was clumsily dealt with by goalkeeper Dwayne Miller, giving McCreath a goal off the rebound. It was bread and butter.

At the other end of the park, Harbour View were threatening to pull one back before half-time.

They came close when Gregg Taylor's looping header was parried high into the air and unto the crossbar by Damion Crooks. Danger was averted.

Defensive mood

The 'Stars of the East' came knocking eight minutes to the interval but Richard Edwards, with the goalie to beat, sent his shot high.

Leading 2-0 on the resumption, Tivoli started almost in a defensive mood. But after coach Lenworth Hyde Sr. injected livewire duo Rafiek Thomas and Lenworth Hyde Jr., Tivoli looked forward once more.

Life got very easy for Tivoli when Hyde Jr. betrayed his father's confidence, picking up two yellow cards within seconds, and was eventually red carded after showing dissent.

Referee Hughill Thompson showed eight other yellow cards, five of which went Harbour View's way.

Meanwhile, forced to play with 10 men from the 74th minute, it was a matter of time before Tivoli exhaled again. Davis got his goal from a 20-yard free-kick after Dwight Heron was fouled by Gregory Simpson. And on the stroke of full-time, the alert McCreath grabbed his brace after dispossessing Clifton Waugh and slotting past the hapless goalie.

"We didn't play any football," admitted Hyde Sr.

"Whenever you are playing at Tivoli, Arnett or Waterhouse you have to come with an 'A' game. We didn't do that today."

Tivoli 4

Derrick Planter (9th minute)

Nicholas McCreath (21st, 89th)

Fabian Davis (86th)

Harbour View 0