Tivoli Gardens claimed their first major football title in three years when they edged Meadhaven United 1-0 in the final of the Western Union KSAFA Jackie Bell Knockout competition at the Tony Spaulding Sports Complex last night.

A heated and controversial affair, Tivoli, whose last major title was the Champions Cup in the 2005-2006 season, won the enthralling encounter with a goal from former national defender Christopher Jackson, who netted seven minutes into extra time, after both teams played to a 0-0 draw in regulation time.

Caught unaware

The defender was the recipient of a drop-ball from the referee, who stopped the taking of a corner to remove another ball, which had been thrown on the field. The Meahaven players were caught unaware and with the goalkeeper off his line, Jackson fired a curling shot with his trademark left foot, which found the roof of the net.

Incensed Meadhaven players then swarmed the referee; however, this only resulted in a player, Lennox Creary, getting booked.

Meadhaven, had lost their key player Keammar Daley after he was issued with a red card on the stroke of full time for violent play.

"It was an exciting game. I expected them to come at us and give us a real run and they did. But congratulations to my players, they were disciplined and kept their cool throughout the game," said Tivoli coach, Lenworth Hyde Sr who, along with his assistant Max Straw, was winning the trophy for the third year in a row, having done so previously with beaten semi-finalists Harbour View in 2007 and 2008.

Gracious in defeat

Tivoli, for their exploits, in addition to the trophy, took home $350,000, while Meadhaven, whose coach Alrick Clarke, was gracious in defeat, pocketed $200,000.

"It was a very good game. One of the most exciting finals I have seen in a while," said Clarke

"It's just one of those games. It's a tough one to lose, but they are learning," he added.

Before his dismissal, Daley, who was a thorn in the sides of the Tivoli defence, created the first real scoring opportunity of the match when he dismissed a marker and fired a powerful volley that hit the crossbar and rebounded into play in the 61st minute. However, after his dismissal, Tivoli pressed home the extra-man advantage.

"It feels real good to bring back a trophy to west Kingston. It's been a while," said Jackson.