Photo: Waterhouse striker Andre Leslie tries to protect the ball from Humble Lion defender Hugh Howell during their Red Stripe Premier League game on Sunday at Drewsland. Waterhouse won the game 1-0 to book a spot in the semifinals of the competition.
Waterhouse FC sealed their place in the semi-finals of the Red Stripe Premier League on Sunday when they edged play-off hopefuls Humble Lion 1-0 at Drewsland, courtesy of a first half penalty scored by Nicholy Finlayson.
The hosts got off to a quick start, pinning back the visitors as they hunted the game’s opening goal. It took Tremaine Stewart only two minutes to test Gariece McPherson when his drive from the edge of the box slipped through the fingers of the Humble Lion custodian and over the crossbar for a corner kick.
Former Waterhouse player Hugh Howell had to provide a desperate block to prevent Andre Leslie from breaking the deadlock, eleven minutes into the contest and the visitors were definitely riding their luck when Leslie failed to bury a great chance just two minutes later, after being sprung by a sublime pass from Stewart. Leslie rounded the advancing McPherson, but watched in agony as his shot crashed into the side netting of the unprotected goal.
Waterhouse were the ones counting their lucky stars in the 18th minute, when Leaunghn Williams saw his fierce drive from 20 yards canon off the left upright and back into play with Richard “Spoon” McCallum beaten all ends up.
Both teams fought for control of the game but the hosts seemed the more likely to score and were ahead with just about a third of the game played. Adoah Nickle was brought down in the box and Finlayson showed great composure to send McPherson the wrong way in the 27th minute, tucking the penalty neatly into the left corner of the goal.
The game became a physical contest following the goal with both teams receiving a caution each.
Nickel and Francois Swaby both had a sight at goal shortly before the break but both failed to challenge the respective goalkeepers as the home team went in with a slender 1-0 lead.
The second half was a case of missed chances as both teams came close but failed to add to the score line.
Devon Hodges was denied by a blinder of a save from McCallum who parried a header behind for a corner from point blank range in the 55th minute. The former national striker was denied again when his chested effort was easily handled by McCallum.
Andre Leslie had a couple of half chances before he was replaced by a lively Gary McIntosh. The Waterhouse forward who had been missing for most of the season due to injury, was clearly happy to be back in the thick of things and managed to get off a couple of shots at goal, but he too failed to test McPherson.
Waterhouse assistant coach, Marcel Gayle was happy to seal the semi-final spot with three rounds to go.
“It was a total team effort today. This win qualifies us for the semis with three games to go. We are a week and a half away from the CFU (Caribbean Football Union) qualifiers and our focus will shift to that now.”
Humble Lion coach Donovan Duckie had nothing but praise for his players despite the result.
“We played well and showed championship mettle,” he declared. “We conceded a soft goal. In my opinion the ref determined the outcome of the game, but we showed good character.
“It was important for us to get a point tonight which we failed to do, but our destiny is still in our own hands with three games to go and as long as our destiny is still in our own hands we can still make the top four.”
With Arnett Gardens already qualified for the semi-finals there are now two spots left to be filled. The defending champions, Montego Bay United will play away to bottom of the table Barbican on Thursday with the aim to seal their spot, while Humble Lion still holds pole position for fourth spot after Harbour View were beaten 1-0 at home by Boys Town.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login