MBUFC surprise Waterhouse 3-1

Adrian Frater, News Editor

WESTERN BUREAU:

Montego Bay United Football Club (MBUFC) gave one of their better performances of the 2011-12 Red Stripe Premier League yesterday when two goals by Mauracio Gordon and one from substitute Allan Ottey gave them a 3-1 win against Waterhouse at the Montego Bay Stadium.

"It was a good performance but I can't say I am totally happy with where we are as a team," said MBUFC Brazilian coach, Neider Dos Santos. "Our decision making needs to improve, but I believe the players are trying and responding well to the coaching."

By virtue of their win, MBUFC, who were winning for the fourth time this season, increased their points tally to 15 while Waterhouse, who slipped to third after losing for only the fourth time, remain in the upper half of the table on 22 points.

Portmore United (27 points) stayed in front with a 1-0 win over Highgate (14) at Lynch Park, courtesy of a second-half strike by Adoah Nickles, while defending champions Tivoli Gardens (23) moved into second with a 3-1 home win over Boys' Town (18). Christopher Jackson (13th), Roland Dean (52nd) and Mitchily Waul (65th) scored for Tivoli, while Michael Campbell (90+3) netted a consolation goal for Boys' Town (18).

Good start, bad finish

"We played well for 68 minutes but after that our game fell away because we started chasing the game," said Waterhouse's coach Donovan Duckie. "In a game like this, when your opponents are not giving up a lot of room, you need to exercise more patience."

In the first half, both teams played good, enterprising football and created a few chances, but wayward finishing ensured a goalless half-time score.

The home team soaked up some good, early pressure from Waterhouse at the start of the second half and almost conceded in the 48th and 49th minutes when Jermaine Anderson nodded over the crossbar and then struck the upright.

However, Montego Bay took the lead in the 56th minute when Gordon caught the defence and after initially fumbling, he fired home to make the score 1-0.

With MBUFC the better of the action and Waterhouse under pressure, Gordon was again on target in the 83rd minute when he took advantage of another defensive blunder and slotted home from inside the goal area, making the score 2-0.

With time running out, Water-house made their presence felt when substitute Kamal Malcolm got away before the goal and fired home, making the score 2-1 to drag his team back into contention.

However, Ottey made the game safe for MBUFC in stoppage time when he pounced on a pass before the goal and fired past the goalkeeper, making the final score 3-1.