André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

Young striker Claudius Blackburn chalked his name on the scoresheet once again, powering promoted Cavalier to a hard-fought and surprising 1-0 win over Tivoli Gardens in Sunday's Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) match at Stadium East.

Blackburn rose highest to meet a Mitchily Waul corner in the 61st minute and head the ball into the goal, relegating the mid-table west Kingston team Tivoli Gardens to their fourth loss of the season.

The 22-year-old former Trench Town and Hydel High student had a big smile stapled across his face after the final whistle, as he made his way through a throng of equally jubilant Cavalier supporters.

"I am ecstatic," Blackburn beamed. "I have been trying hard all game to find the net and I finally managed to do so, and I am very happy that I was able to help my team get this very important win."

The younger brother of Arnett Gardens striker Marcelino, the Cavalier man, who now has three goals to his name, hailed his sibling and shared that his maiden top-flight experience has been positive so far.

Adapted well

"It's been a good experience so far, I have adapted well and I'm just enjoying myself in the league," Blackburn said. "I have learned a lot from him (Marcelino), and he has guided me and helped me with my football as well."

After a busy but uneventful first 45 minutes, both teams returned from their dressing room with more purpose in the second half, with Cavalier looking particularly dangerous, threatening to increase their advantage on several occasions.

Substitute Fabian Nethersole got into the thick of things immediately after his introduction, heading a pass in the path of Raymond Thompson, who failed to get his shot on target in the 65th minute.

Nethersole took matters into his own hands on the 80-minute mark after linking up well with Donovan Alveranga on the left side, before making his way inside the box and shooting high and wide of the target, with goalkeeper Edsel Scott at his mercy.

It turned out to be a miss that the hosts could afford as a tame Tivoli Gardens did precious little to bother McPherson or his defenders.

Cavalier's head coach, David Laylor, welcomed the victory, his team's second at home and one that stopped a four-match losing skid.

"Its always important to make the most of your home games, so we are happy for the win. I think it was a good game and the team played really well. We had to make some adjustments and they paid off for us this time, so let's see what happens going forward," Laylor said.

andre.lowe@gleanerjm.com