Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

Boys' Town's attempt to raise revenues from the gates and increase spectator support by switching to Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex bore fruit on Sunday.

The Andrew Price-coached unit, who normally plays their home matches at their Collie Smith Drive headquarters which lacks adequate perimeter fencing, which makes collecting admission fees difficult, made the switch up the road to the "Complex" and got near-capacity crowd and rewards.

Their fans also left the venue happy as thanks to strikes from forwards Rafiek Thomas and substitute Khalil Johnson, respectively, they were able to post a 2-0 win over west Kingston rivals Tivoli Gardens.

"The atmosphere was unbelievable. It might have been one of the biggest I would have played in," said Johnson, who was flocked by adoring fans at the end.

"We love playing at Collie Smith Drive, but to come here and see us also getting the support that we did is really good and the hope is that going forward, if and when we play here, it will be the same," he added.

The game, which got going at 6p.m., saw both teams running at each other in the early exchanges, with Tivoli Gardens creating the first real goalscoring chance in the 18th minute.

Caught outside of the area, Boys' Town goalkeeper Kirk Porter was robbed of possession outside of the penalty area and close to the touch line by Dane Kelly.

Off-target shot

However, with the goal at his mercy, Kelly could not get his shot on target.

This turned out to be the perfect break for Boys' Town as seven minutes later Thomas was set free via a through ball at the top of Tivoli's penalty area and with only goalkeeper Edsel Scott to beat, he powered a low shot which fortuituously hit the hand of Scott and trickled into the net.

Seemingly inspired by the goal, Boys' Town went on to control the match and it was no surprise when 23-year-old Johnson, a former Wolmer's Manning Cupper who returned from college in the USA earlier this year, outmuscled and outran the otherwise outstanding defender, Barrington Pryce, and slotted past the advancing Scott.

"We started out badly due to a lack of discipline and a failure to follow instructions from the coach," said Tivoli's captain Keithy Simpson.

"This allowed Boys' Town to come at us and take the lead which they did well to defend and in the end come out on top.

"We are, however, not too overly concerned about the result as we still have a match in hand and every chance of still making the end-of-round final.

With the win, Boys' Town moved into second position in the standings on 15 points, one behind leaders Sporting Central Academy, and two ahead of Arnett Gardens, who were down to play Waterhouse in the league's Monday Night affair at Drewsland. Tivoli, meanwhile, remained on 10 points.