Richard Bryan, Star Writer

Two matches into the start of the third round a match-up between Tivoli and Sporting Central would hardly have attracted interest beyond the distinct predictability of the latter collecting three points, almost always the outcome when the two have met over the last four seasons.

It may not be that simple as that time around, when the two are featured in the Monday night live fixture at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex. Tivoli are the champions and have a six point lead on Sporting. No match there.

But, this is not the Tivoli of the two previous rounds.

The tide is changing against even their own ambitious hopes of defending their title, with nine games left. Their 44 points is only good enough for fourth place, a mere one ahead of Humble Lion.

They are stalling and are not likely to frighten anyone, as suggested by their 0-0 effort against relegation candidate Village United last weekend.

Sporting may well not give Tivoli's coaching staff any sleepless nights before Monday, but it is unlikely they wouldn't want to take their visit lightly.

Following a forgettable second round in which they mined just nine points in 11 games, Sporting fired their coach, while four of their local Clarendon stars transferred to other teams.

With a seemingly weakened line-up and assistant coach Nigel Stewart thrown into the waters midstream, Sporting have unbelievably rose from gloom and not only show signs of resurgence but confidence.

With less of their spectacular trademark passing, they have demonstrated discipline and fight and have since stitched a purple patch, which has seen them unbeaten in five games, and they have mined 11 points from three wins and two draws. Two of those wins have come against teams higher ranked at this stage, but Tivoli would be the biggest catch if their form were to continue.

Coach Nigel Stewart has been an integral part of that climb, and it made more than passing interest when Courtney Murray, who replaced his brother Brandon as manager when the new changes were made at the start of the round, walked to the sidelines to give him a personal handshake just seconds after the 1-0 win over MoBay United last Sunday.

Stewart exuded confidence when asked in the customary post-game interview about the upcoming game against Tivoli.

"It's a big game for us but we have some momentum and should go their with some confidence," Nigel Stewart said, when asked about his date with the defending champions.

"It's up to the guys to just go out there and produce the good work they have been doing."

Among those who have lifted the team are main striker Francois Swaby, midfielder Jamoly Powell, who provided the winner against MoBay with a wonder strike, and super sub Keith Kelly, who usually spices up the attack from midfield.