Photo: Rohan Amos had a good game in defence for Waterhouse
Boys Town again proved the scourge of Waterhouse by holding the Red Stripe Premier League second place team to a 0-0 draw at Collie Smith Drive on Sunday. Anthony Patrick’s men had scored eight goals in their last two games while conceding only once, yet could not find a way through against the team that they have beaten five times out of their last six encounters.
The The Red Brigade, who held them to a nil-all draw at Drewsland Mini Stadium on November 9th 2014 more than held their own for long periods and should have walked away with all three points if it wasn’t for faulty shooting and unfavorable decisions by the officials.
The best chances went to Boys Town in the opening period, Dawson getting the better of Waterhouse defenders but his shot went high wide and handsome. Boys Town had the better opportunities throughout the first half and Waterhouse might have felt relieved to leave with a point to their credit.
Boys Town knocked the ball around with the confidence belying their lowly position in the table. But Waterhouse driven by a raucous traveling crowd and the tough-tackling Rohan Amos and Evan Taylor began to find a foothold in the game, epitomised by one of very few shots in the first half, a curling effort by Hughan Gray that went just over the crossbar.
That was a rare journey forward for the visitors in the first half.
A Rohan Scott penalty shout in the 40th minute was waved away by referee Parchment, claiming it was outside the box. The resulting free kick saw Rafiek Thomas’s soft header comfortably collected by goalkeeper Kelso Cousins.
The Andrew Price coached team looked threatening every time they went forward and Waterhouse were indebted to a fine goalkeeping by Cousins who denied Peter Keys and Thomas in the first half. The first half ended without Waterhouse registering a single shot on target.
The home team came out with plenty of intent after the break but Rohan Amos kept the ever present and skillful Thomas in check. Keys and Andre Dawson were the next to threaten, with some quick exchanges to rip the Waterhouse defence apart as Boys Town began to turn the screw. Undeterred, Waterhouse continued to grow in confidence and made life uncomfortable for their opponents at the other end.
The resolute defending of Anthony Patrick’s side was best summed up by Amos, who threw his body in the way of several goal bound efforts. Omar Walcott was also alert when his time came, producing a brilliant tackle with his right leg to deny Thomas.
Waterhouse fashioned a great opening soon after, as Romario Cambell was introduced to the game and immediately got involved. His dipping free kick was saved twice by Boys Town custodian Kirk Porter.
Boys town however almost went ahead with a little time remaining when Garfield Gillespie shot from close ranged whistled over the bar and into the stands. Substitute Chavaney Willis spurned an even better opportunity soon after. The player found himself unmarked in the area but his weak effort from 8 yard was gobbled up by Cousins.
Waterhouse continued to look vulnerable, Thomas threatening again with a thunderbolt 20-yard effort that skidded just wide, but there was to be no breakthrough for either side, and Firehouse must settle for a point trying to inch closer to league leader who were away playing Barbican in a record breaking game.
Boys Town head coach Andrew Price said: “I am realistic so I am pleased. To have the chance to get something against a team like Waterhouse, first you need to defend – and do it properly.
“We did that. That’s a minimum. We had chances at the end because there was space. You never know if it’s fate or not but we need to be pleased with the performance. Poor officiating went against us but it was one of our best performance in a while.”
Marcel Gayle Waterhouse assistant coach was happy for the point. They had spent one week preparing for the match and had a clear strategy. Many people criticise defensive teams. I don’t do that because you have to do it well and they did.
“We always tried to play and move the ball but they defended very, very well. I praise them for their success in getting a clean sheet. I have no negative words to my players because they tried everything and were not successful. It was a fair result. We are not happy with a point but we have to be mature and experienced enough to know every match is difficult.
Waterhouse with the draw slipped to nine points behind leaders Arnett Gardens who won 1-0 on the day. Boys Town remains a point above the drop zone after both teams below them drew against each other.
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