Waterhouse stay ahead

Richard Bryan, Gleaner Writer

Waterhouse added another three points in a rejuvenated quest to wrest the Digicel Premier League title under coach Baris Johnson, by stopping Humble Lion 2-1 at Effortville Community Centre in Clarendon yesterday.

Vincent Earle's 14th minute penalty and Jermaine Anderson's pinpoint header at the 48th, sealed a victory which pushed the Drewsland team to 25 points, holding their place atop the 12-team league standings. But more importantly for manager Keith Sailsman is that it provide good psychological preparation for their end-of-round final clash against Tivoli Gardens, which ended on 22 points after a 1-1 draw with Portmore United.

"That final is not a three-point game, but we want momentum as we continue that journey towards the ultimate prize, so it was important to get three here," Sailsman told The Gleaner.

Waterhouse seemed little concerned they were in the Lion's den and they would hit the homeside before many of their home fans had arrived, since the match started at 3 p.m. rather than the customary 3:30 p.m.

Penalty call

Akeem Thenstead, formerly of August Town and one of the new pre-season signings, was able to win the luck of a penalty call, when his dribble down the right side not only foxed a defender, but the ball also hit the hand.

The home team clawed their way back, having greater possession for the rest of the half, but could not find decisive final passes or a shot that could scare Richard McCallum in goal.

Waterhouse would hit them again, early in the second half before they could mount another challenge, as Anderson sneaked behind their defence to head home a Weston Forrest free kick three minutes after the interval.

The two-goal deficit forced Lenworth Hyde Sr. - under whom the team had gone unbeaten in four matches - to make a triple substitution at the hour mark, bringing on Jermaine Christian, Kimroy Davis and Andrew Issacs.

With greater fire power upfront, they were rewarded with a goal in the 70th minute when Roberto Fletcher's cracker from 16 yards was parried by McCallum's diving effort into goal.

Waterhouse held on strongly but needed a crucial block late from Rohan Amos on the goal line to deny Christian's drive that had flown past McCallum.