Substitutes make the difference for 'Junglists'

Nodley Wright, Gleaner Writer

Coach Paul 'Tegat' Davis was made to look like a genius on Wednesday night as all three changes made in his team's National Premier League (NPL) encounter with Waterhouse came up trumps for him in a 1-0 win over the title contenders.

Jerry Walters, who was introduced early on for the injured Rohan Reid, was very steady in midfield, attacking player Leon Strickland, who slotted in at left back in place of the tiring Ricardo Smith, performed admirably in that role and broke up the play which led to the goal. Ricardo Stern turned the game in favour of Arnett Gardens and it was his dribble that created the opening for Jonathan Williams' 72nd-minute goal.

"I must commend the guys and the coaching staff and to God be the glory. These guys came out tonight and then going down a man short, they really put in some effort," a hoarse but pleased Davis said at the end of the game.

Reduced to 10 men

Davis could not have summed up the situation better, as after losing the influential Reid early to injury, he saw his numbers reduced to 10 when captain Kirk Ramsay was ejected in the 30th minute when his attempted bicycle kick made solid contact with the head of an opponent and referee Valdin Ledgister sent him on his way.

Waterhouse pulled Arnett Gardens apart for the remainder of the half and the early part of the second half until Davis replaced the towering Sterling with the pint-size Stern and many looked around quizzically. Davis' move was soon vindicated as Stern combined well with Williams and for a large part of the half, Arnett Gardens appeared to have the numerical advantage.

"I said to Sterling at half-time, it is a big man time you need to lift your game up and we did not get much from him after half-time. We were not getting much from him in terms of support with Johnny in the attack, so I decided to introduce someone who could dribble the ball and it paid dividends," said Davis explaining his decision.

Signs that Waterhouse were in trouble were clear within minutes of Stern and Strickland entering the field. Five minutes before the goal arrived, Strickland moved well down the left flank and crossed for Williams inside the six-yard box but a combination of goalkeeper Keslo Cousins and the upright denied him.

Right the second time

There would be no mistake the next time around as after breaking up a move from Hugh Howell, Strickland played the ball upfield which was headed on by Waterhouse's Carlos Barrett. Jason Watson should have made a routine clearance but he tried to dribble around Stern, who picked his pocket and charged at Rohan Amos. Amos did his best to hold off Stern as Williams followed closely behind. The ball peeled of the foot of Amos and fell kindly for Williams who drilled home.

It must have been a bitter pill to swallow for Waterhouse as the goalscorer was on their books only last season.

"I think we are suffering psychologically. There are certain things affecting the team which we have to straighten out and this result is a hangover from the last game," Waterhouse coach Donovan Duckie said, making reference to last Sunday's loss to Boys' Town.

Duckie also expressed the view that generally his team did not play badly but with improved communication and better crosses, his team would have been able to do their job. For him though, the thing that was most difficult to accept was the error that gave Arnett Gardens their goal.

"What is important to note is the error that the central defender made which cost us the goal. That was poor risk management in the back. That created the opening and Arnett capitalised on that," Duckie said.