Photo: Vincent Earle on the ball for Waterhouse against Montego Bay United on Thursday
Waterhouse FC edged an intriguing contest against Montego Bay United 2-1, in a rescheduled game in the Red Stripe Premier League, to return to the top of the pile on Thursday. Both teams entered the game with a chance to go top but at the end of 90 minutes it was the fans of the Drewsland team that were singing “at the top it’s just us”.
Photo: Vincent Earle on the ball for Waterhouse against Montego Bay United on Thursday
Waterhouse FC edged an intriguing contest against Montego Bay United 2-1, in a rescheduled game in the Red Stripe Premier League, to return to the top of the pile on Thursday. Both teams entered the game with a chance to go top but at the end of 90 minutes it was the fans of the Drewsland team that were singing “at the top it’s just us”.
The game which began at a fast pace saw the visitors take the game to their hosts who were prepared to play behind the ball despite being the home team. But it was a case of defences on top as neither team was able to find a path to goal in the first half.
Just when it seemed that the teams would go in scoreless at the break, Mobay United broke the deadlock. An innocuous looking free kick from Fabian McCarthy found its way past the defenders and a wrong footed Richard McCallum in the Waterhouse goal, in first half stoppage time to gift the away team the lead.
The response from Waterhouse after the break was swift. Less than sixty seconds after the resumption, the hosts were level courtesy of a beautiful volley from the edge of the area by Hughan Gray. Used mostly as a defender this season, the tactical switch to use him as a forward by coach, Anthony Patrick paid dividends as Gray pounced on a weak headed clearance by a Mobay United defender to level the game.
The equalizer seemed to be the tonic the home team needed. They took control through the midfield play of the industrious Vincent Earle, who was restored to the starting line-up after a very long injury layoff.
Earle’s influence over the game was highlighted in the 59th minute when his sublime pass over the top, put in Kenroy Howell who outpaced the last defender before firing on target. Duvaun Smith got a hand to the shot to take off the pace but the persistent Howell followed up to ram home from almost on the goal line and seal all three points for his team.
A pleased Anthony Patrick was happy with the improved performance of his unit, “After the listless game on Monday night I am happy with the performance today.”
“The game plan was to stay behind the ball and invite them unto to us and it worked. Vincent Earle did the job for us today and Rom Rom Campbell came on to add something for us. It’s just unfortunate that he didn’t get a goal.”
A disappointed Hugh Solomon blame defensive errors for the loss, “It is a tough loss. We didn’t play badly, defensive mistakes cost us again today.”
Waterhouse now lead the league with 50 points, followed by defending champions Harbour View in second and Mobay United on third. Both teams are on 48 points but Harbour View lead Mobay United on goal difference.
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