LeVuaugh Fllynn, Staff Reporter

Sporting Central Academy's Owen Gordon jumps to evade a tackle from Tivoli Gardens defender Dwight Heron, during their Cash Plus Premier League football match at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex on Sunday. Tivoli won 2-0. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

If anything could take the community's mind off the day's earlier shooting incident, it would be a victory by Tivoli Gardens Football Club.

Their 2-0 win over Sporting Central in the Cash Plus Premier League on Sunday followed a police operation in the inner-city community which saw five civilians fatally shot and two policemen shot and injured up to Sunday night.

The community, however, which endured a three-day gun battle between lawmen and gunmen in July 2001 that resulted in 27 deaths, is no stranger to shooting incidents and neither are the players.

The Gleaner understands one of the deceased men was related to a Tivoli Gardens player.

"This is something Tivoli go through over the years but we just play ball 'cause we're used to it," said Tivoli's assistant coach, Desmond Francis, as a helicopter hovered above. "This is an important win for us because in order to win the league we have to get maximum points as many times as possible."

The victory moved leaders Tivoli to 36 points, while Sporting Central remained with 19 points in ninth place.

The victory provided another opportunity for left back Christopher Jackson to make his case for a spot on the national team as the game was watched by Brazilian assistant coaches Chico Santos and Alfredo Montesso.

Jackson's goal in the 70th minute was a trademark power-house from 20 yards out against the run of play. He was helped by a defender's deflection, killing any chance goalkeeper Leighton Murray might have had.

Murray also had little chance moments earlier when a hair-raising free kick from Jackson hit the crossbar.

Tivoli Gardens 2

Sheldon Palmer 43rd

Christopher Jackson 70th

Sporting Central 0