Waterhouse survive last-kick scare to take full points

Ainsley Walters, Gleaner Writer

NICHOLY FINDLAYSON's 94th-minute free kick from 25 yards cannoned off Richard McCallum's crossbar before the goalkeeper had time to react on Sunday night.

It was the last kick of the match and Findlayson's shoulders drooped as the former Waterhouse midfielder trudged off the field at Drewsland with his Reno teammates, heading to the visitors' dressing room after a 1-0 loss.

Waterhouse survived the screamer of a shot from atop the 18-yard box, securing three points and a share of the Digicel Premier League lead, second on goal difference to Tivoli with whom they share nine points, along with Portmore United and Boys' Town.

Reno came alive in a hard-fought second-half after Waterhouse dominated the first 45 minutes, which ended with Anderson heading on Kemar Thomas' cross from the right past Dennis Taylor in goal.

Last-gasp shot

However, had Findlayson's last-gasp shot gone a few inches lower, not even the drenching rain in which the teams played the last 20 minutes would have mattered.

Findlayson, who played at Waterhouse on loan last season, while Reno fought their way back into the Premiership from Confederation football, would have had the last laugh.

He was taunted relentlessly by Jermaine 'Tuffy' Anderson, who had given his team the lead. The Waterhouse striker targeted his former teammate in his celebrations, obviously a private battle between the two.

After being outplayed in the first half and denied a draw by the woodwork at the death, Reno coach Wendell Downswell said his lads had "nothing to be ashamed of".

"It was like night and day," Downswell said during his dressing-room interview, describing how his team awoke in the second half after watching Kenardo Forbes and Vincent Earle have their way in midfield for the first 45 minutes, spraying passes to the flanks and skipping around defenders.

Dominated possession

However, though Waterhouse dominated possession, it took the homesters all of 36 minutes to get their first shot on goal, Forbes' free kick from the right which went straight at the Reno keeper.

"We gave them too much room in the first half. We're disappointed we lost but we played some good football," Downswell added.

Reno are sixth in mid-table on goal difference, locked on six points with defending champions Harbour View and Benfica.

The promoted team, which has been in and out of the Premiership for the last six years, will face Boys' Town at Collie Smith Drive on Sunday, another trip to Kingston.

"Our next assignment will be another tough road match at Boys' Town but I hope we can start there like we ended here," Downswell noted.