Richard Bryan, Freelance Writer

Fresh from an injury lay-off, Reno's young striker Martin Williams scored in the 65th minute for a 1-0 win over Tivoli at St. Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) yesterday, to keep his team firmly on track for what has been their best hunt for a title in a decade.

Williams' goal was the only clear chance for either team in a game where the two acknowledged making good defensive play and where a draw would have been a fair result.

But Reno's moment of glory, which brought them to 28 points, owed much to their slight advantage in intensity and was best amplified by the way the short Kevon Grant rose above taller players for a header, and for which Williams slid in bravely to intercept and tap in before goalkeeper Damion Crooks could get a touch.

Win over arch rivals

The loss for Tivoli pegged them to 23 points and ended a purple patch in which they were unbeaten for eight games, including last Wednesday's one-nil win over arch rivals Arnet Gardens.

Both coaches in their post match comments appreciated the nature of the contest and the effort of both teams although Tivoli's Calvert Fitzgerald felt they could have been a little sharper had the team not arrived only just in time for the 3:15 p.m. kick off after leaving Kingston at 12:30 p.m.

"The game was evenly contested," said Fitzgerald. "Reno played well, but I thought we put in our bit as well, but the fact that we left Kingston at 12:30 it could have affected the edge in the game."

For Reno's technical director, Wendell Downswell, it was another example that his team was having no fluke season.

"It was a very good game for us and keeps us in line for what I think will be a good contest for the title. I think that after we scored we were a bit overcautious, but the main objective was achieved and that was three points at home."