Photo: Montego Bay United celebrate with the Red Stripe Premier League trophy after beating Waterhouse 5-2 in the final at the National Stadium in Kingston on Monday May 19th.
On an evening when they had a date with destiny, Montego Bay United (MBU) produced a second half master class in front of goal to hammer Waterhouse FC 5-2 in the final of the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL). Striker Dino Williams was at his absolute best bagging a hat-trick and two assists as he was involved in all of the goals for Mobay United, ending their 17 year wait for the title.
The Dr. Dean Weatherley coached team produced a tactically disciplined performance and was rewarded for their courage and desire as they worked tirelessly for each other all evening. It was a game of two halves however with the first evenly balanced but “Firehouse” got the better looks at goal but only managing to score one goal.
The first chance of the game fell to Waterhouse in the 5th minute when MBU’s Jacomena Barrett spilled a routine save that almost let in Juvaune Benjamin but recovered well and gave up a corner kick. Two minutes later Allan Ottey played Williams in on goal but Waterhouse’s custodian Richard McCullum made an excellent block.
On 16 minutes, Hughan Gray of Waterhouse drove through the midfield from right back and only a last ditch tackle from Lesly St Fleur prevented him from being in on goalkeeper Barrett. Benjamin got a good chance in the 21st minute for Waterhouse but his shot went wide after he was played in beautifully by Damarley Samuels.
The first goal came on 26 minutes when Williams was played in by Omar Gordon and placed an excellent right-footed shot to the far post past a helpless McCullum. The ball cannoned in off the right upright to break the deadlock. His shot had power, accuracy and was well taken by the man in red hot form. Gordon was having a wonderful time down the right hand side against Oshane Roberts and finally found a quality ball into Williams.
The team from Drewsland then settled and started to keep possession, building back their confidence after conceding. They created an opening on 36 minutes when Romario Campbell fired a powerful and swirling effort that was pushed aside by Barrett. Firehouse finally equalized on 43 minutes after Campbell ended a brilliant link-up play with Benjamin. He slotted the ball pass Barrett which such ease, reminiscent of one Lionel Messi on his left foot.
The half ended with Firehouse applying pressure on the MBU defence. Barrett made a miraculous save from point blank range again from Campbell, to keep his team on level terms heading into the dressing room.
The second half started with the St James based team on the front foot showing hunger, courage and desire. They created an opening when Ottey showed his pace to get by Gray but his dangerous cross was just out of the reach of Williams in the 55th minute. They got the go-ahead goal however on 58 minutes courtesy of man of the match Dino Williams.
Wiliams was involved in a good link-up play with Fabian McCarthy who played him in for his second on the night. The third came six minutes later from Gordon who received a pass from Williams at the edge of the penalty area. He settled and composed himself before unleashing a powerful right footed effort into the roof of the net. It was a sumptuous strike and sweet reward for his efforts all night down the right hand side. By this time, Waterhouse had lost all discipline at the back.
Gordon got his second on 69 minutes after he released Williams down the right flank and continued his run into the penalty area to get on the end of an excellent cross. It was a text book goal which must have pleased Coach Weatherley who likes to use the width of the pitch. At this point Waterhouse looked done and dusted as the players started to drop their heads starring defeat in the face.
Williams bagged his hat-trick in the 78th minute following a mix-up between McCullum and Gray. He passed the ball into an empty net making it 5-1 to the St James based team. Samuels scored the second for Waterhouse in the 82nd minute. The MBU defense was caught out by a quick throw-in, allowing substitute Weston Forrest to have a shot at goal which was redirected by Samuels.
The party was started early by McCarthy in the 90th minutes as he showed that he possesses good technical skills and some trickery. He started the exhibition against Roberts which caused the Mobay United fans to roar and beg for more. The game ended 5-2 with striker Dino Willians named the ‘Busta Man of the Match’ for his three goals and two assists.
Yashiema Love
Senior Contributor
GIVEMESPORT Writing Academy
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