Photo: Ramone Howell had a good game in midfield for Waterhouse
A Devon Hodges strike in the 68th minute prevented Waterhouse FC from returning to the summit of the Red Stripe Premier League on Monday night after the Drewsland team missed a host of chances to kill off the game long before the Rivoli FC hitman silenced the usually vocal home support.
Photo: Ramone Howell had a good game in midfield for Waterhouse
A Devon Hodges strike in the 68th minute prevented Waterhouse FC from returning to the summit of the Red Stripe Premier League on Monday night after the Drewsland team missed a host of chances to kill off the game long before the Rivoli FC hitman silenced the usually vocal home support.
Waterhouse got off to a quick start when Kenroy Howell put them ahead after only 7 minutes. The striker received a pass in the goal area for captain Damarley Samuels before firing home a left foot shot to the far post before most fans had settled into their seats.
The home team dominated possession for most of the first half but lacked the cutting edge that had seen them climb to the top of the table in recent weeks.
Samuels was played in by Ramone Howell, brother of goal scorer Kenroy, and after outpacing the Rivoli defence, inexplicably shot wide of the far post with the goal at his mercy.
Rivoli had their moments in the first half and Cory Burke brought the best out of Richard McCallum who had to tip over a fierce drive from the midfielder.
The home team continued to dominate possession with much penetration until just before half time. Five minutes before the interval, Juvaune Benjamin fired a ball across goal but K. Howell was unable to get on the end of the cross.
A minute later K. Howell and Weston Forrest had an intricate passing move on the edge of the Rivoli area with Forrest trying to place the ball into the corner of the net. Marlon Henry in the Rivoli goal had to dive well to his right to parry for a corner kick.
Waterhouse went into the break with the slender 1-0 lead that always appeared not to be enough.
Six minutes after the resumption Samuels was in on goal again but his nightmare in front of goal continued when he fired straight at Henry.
Another gilt-edged chance was missed by the hosts just a minute later when K. Howell got the better of his marker despite having his jersey tugged. The cross from Howell fell to Benjamin who fired his effort into the side netting from about 3 yards out with the keeper out of position.
Rivoli showed that they could emulate Waterhouse when Davion Garrison missed a ball from almost on the goal line. Any touch on the ball would have resulted in a goal.
But the RSPL’s joint leading goal scorer would not be as wasteful as others had been all night. Hodges was brought down just outside the area and got up to take the free kick himself. McCallum did well to save and then push away for a corner. The Waterhouse defence left the dangerous striker unmarked at the far post and Hodges was on hand to head home the corner kick to level the scores.
Neither team created much for the rest of the game, which did very little for Rivoli who are trying to escape the relegation zone.
The point for Waterhouse draws them level with Harbour View but they remain in third due to an inferior goal difference. Rivoli is now level on points with Portmore United and Boys Town but remain in the relegation zone with a -10 goal difference.
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