Village surprise Waterhouse in thriller

Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

Village United's resurgence in the 2010-11 Digicel Premier League got another positive burst of energy yesterday afternoon, when they scored a thrilling 3-2 win over Waterhouse at the Elliston Wakeland Youth Centre in Falmouth, Trelawny.

After falling behind 1-0 at half-time to a Peter Keyes strike, Village stormed back in the second half to snatch victory through Leon Irving (two goals) and Greame Green. Substitute Kevin Lamey got a late goal for Waterhouse, but it was not enough to deny Village United victory.

Village, who started the year in the relegation zone, pushed themselves further towards mid-table with the win, moving up to 28 points. Despite their loss, Waterhouse remain in the top six on 45.

"The first half was horrible, we played without pace," said Village United's Brazilian coach, Neider Dos Santos. "The second half was a complete turnaround as we got many chances, in addition to hitting the post twice."

Early action

In early action, both teams took turns in the ascendency but the better chances were created by Village, who looked quite composed moving forward in attack.

However, Waterhouse looked sharp whenever they got the ball.

After coming close in the 24th minute when Jason Watson's shot was brilliantly blocked by the Village custodian, Waterhouse took the lead in the 25th minute when Keyes came out better from a tussle with goalkeeper Ryan Cooper and fired into the goal, making the half-time score 1-0.

Second half

With the wind in their back, Village started the second half looking quite ominous and were rewarded in the 51st minute, when Irving went high for a cross and nodded past goalkeeper Richard McCallum, making the score 1-1.

With Waterhouse coming under non-stop pressure, Irving gave Village the lead in the 59th minute after he won possession in the crowded goal area and sent a neat toe-poke past McCallum, making the score 2-1.

It was all Village midway the half and Lance Laing struck the upright with a powerful free kick.

However, the Trelawny team gave themselves a two-goal cushion in the 68th minute when Dino Williams allowed a ball to roll between his legs to Green, who fired in off the left upright, making the score 3-1.

Waterhouse introduced super substitute Lamey in the 70th minute and he made his mark five minutes later. He capitalised on a blunder in the Village defence and fired home easily, making the final score 3-2.