Keyes' penalty nets win for Waterhouse

Gareth Davis Sr, Gleaner Writer

BUFF BAY, Portland:

A ninth-minute penalty by Peter Keyes ensured Waterhouse a hard-fought 1-0 victory over home team Highgate United, in the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) encounter at Lynch Park, Buff Bay, yesterday.

The Drewsland team ended the game with 10 players, as Loxley Thomas was ejected in the 76th minute after committing a second bookable offence.

Donovan Duckie, head coach of Waterhouse, praised his team for sticking to the game plan despite coming under tremendous pressure after losing a player.

"We studied the playing style of Highgate. We are well aware that they often concede an early goal, probably in the first 15 minutes," he noted.

"We also knew, based on observation, that they are a second-half team which will come running at you in the last 20 or so minutes. But we were prepared and the guys really stuck to the task and the game plan," added Duckie.

Waterhouse went on the attack early with Keyes, Gary McIntosh and Jermaine Anderson leading their thrust, and were rewarded in the ninth minute after a defender handled the ball in the box and they were awarded a penalty.

Keyes delivers twice

Keyes fired a powerful right footer to the left of the goalkeeper and scored, but the referee ruled that the kick had to be retaken. Keyes, however, placed the ball in the same corner to give his team a 1-0 lead, one they held to the interval.

The second half saw Highgate - urged by the fair-sized crowd - attacking relentlessly, but poor finishing robbed them of an equaliser. What was clear, however, was that Highgate was missing the services of key player Romeo Parkes, who was ruled out of the game for an accumulation of yellow cards.

When Waterhouse were reduced to 10 players in the 76th minute, Highgate made several breaches in Waterhouse's defence, but poor finishing denied them a share of the points.

Coach Michael Smith lamented his team's loss, saying his players failed to score despite getting numerous chances.

"We played well to at least get a share of the points," he said. "Highgate is a fighting side and that was quite evident here today. We just need to concentrate and to make that final touch count when it matters."