Waterhouse back on top

Nodley Wright, Gleaner Writer

Waterhouse stormed back to the top of the Digicel Premier League with a 2-0 win over Arnett Gardens at the Drewsland Sports Complex on Wednesday.

In-form Jermaine Anderson and substitute Akeem Thenstead, in the 70th and 87th minutes, respectively, were responsible for the strikes which pushed them back atop the table ahead of Boys' Town, the team which beat them on Sunday last, on goal difference.

Assistant coach Marcel Gayle praised his team for a good performance.

"We played really well and I think it was a total team effort," said Gayle.

"I think Arnett stood up well for most of the game but in the latter part they were unable to do so, but we are thankful for the victory and hope to repeat this kind of performance in our next game on Sunday. Last Sunday we played well but were unable to put the ball in the back of the net. Today we did and our hope is to continue improving game by game," he added.

For Arnett Gardens' coach, Wayne Fairclough, the result was a difficult one to accept.

"This is a game that I would want to erase from my mind as quickly as possible," he said with a touch of frustration.

"It was one that fluctuated with both teams creating their chances and having their periods of dominance, but we really have nothing to be ashamed of," he said.

Arnett Gardens had little if anything to be ashamed of as, for the most part, they competed equally with the home team and, at times, were better as their vocal travelling fans drowned the home crowd. Waterhouse focused their game around the inspired Kenardo Forbes who did extremely well in midfield, creating chance after chance for hard-running Andre Clennon, Anderson and Weston Forrest. Their common failing was poor finishing as shots sailed high and wide.

Arnett Gardens looked most dangerous when Kirk Ramsey, former Waterhouse player was involved. In one such move, he surged forward in the 31st minute and fed Ricardo Smith on the left. Smith's teasing cross into the 18-yard box was not met with the kind of header it required from Leon Strickland. Seven minutes later, Ramsey was to have an effort of his own, a solid grounder from about 25-yards, but it went straight to goalkeeper Richard McCallum.

Fast pace continued

The second half started at a similarly fast pace with Forbes testing goalkeeper Damion Hyatt with a solid drive from about 30-yards, which was turned away for a corner in the 51st minute. Two minutes later Hyatt showed good anticipation to smother Forrest who was put through by Clennon.

Arnett did have their moments too with Ricardo 'Mandela' Stern throwing off the shackles which restricted him in the first-half, becoming more involved and adding support to Ramsay and Strickland. Strickland forced an excellent save out of McCallum in the 55th minute when he dived to his left to pluck a ball with which the stricker tried to measure him out of the air.

Predictably, Forbes was involved in Waterhouse's opening goal. A lovely build-up between himself and Jermaine Fletcher ended with Forbes driving to the goal line and sending a perfect cross for Anderson to steer home with a header.

Arnett tried to rally with the introduction of Daniel Shaw and James Durrant but were not helped by the ejection of Rohan Reid for a second bookable offence.

Waterhouse almost added a second in the 81st minute when a rare mistake from Hyatt, whose poor control gave Forrest an opportunity. The latter blasted on the crossbar under a challenge from Hyatt, but Waterhouse's second was to come six minutes later.

Thenstead, who had replaced Forbes, rounded Hyatt after good interplay with Forrest and slotted home to round off a fine performance.