UWI scores important win over misfiring Waterhouse in RSPL

Photo: UWI striker Anthony Greenland loses the ariel battle to Waterhouse defender Keith Wright during their Red Stripe Premier League mid-week match at the UWI Bowl on Wednesday. The UWI won the game 1-0 courtesy of a 38th minute strike from midfielder Deno Schaffe.

The University of the West Indies Football Club moved up a place from 9^th to 8^th position in the Red Stripe Premier League on Wednesday following a hard fought 1-0 win over strugglers Waterhouse FC at the UWI Mona Bowl, as they continued to claw away from the relegation zone. A 38^th minute strike from central midfielder Deno Schaffe decided the contest for a UWI team that continues to show that they belong in this their first season of top flight football.

Soundly beaten 3-0 at Drewsland in the first round, the UWI guided by Marcel Gayle, a former assistant coach at Waterhouse, showed no signs of being overawed a second time around and managed to mix it  up with the former champions early on.

Waterhouse created the first real opening of the contest in the 12^th minute when they attacked down the left but Jermaine ‘Tuffy’ Anderson was unable to get a toe to the ball as it rolled across the face of the goal. A curling right sided corner from the left boot of Jamie Robinson five minutes later was headed straight into the net before Waterhouse custodian George Brown averted danger at the last moment.

The UWI team was set up not to concede and they did a good job of nullifying the Waterhouse midfield and attack.

Keith Wright made an overlapping run down the left flank before crossing to Anderson whose volley was always rising and failed to trouble Amal Knight in the UWI goal in the 33^rd minute.

Then in the 38^th minute, UWI struck. A quick short corner caught the Waterhouse team flat footed and the ball was passed to an unmarked Schaffe who needed only a simple side footed finish, as he guided the ball home from eight yards.

Two minutes before the break, Anderson had a sight at goal but his tame effort trickled to Knight who handled easily.

Waterhouse started the second half with more energy and a lot more intent with midfielder Romario Campbell getting a lot more involved in the contest. The former Reggae Boy saw his goal bound effort blocked by Stephen Lowe six minutes after the restart as he tried to take the game by the scruff of the neck.

But it was UWI captain Rochane Smith who should have doubled his team’s advantage two minutes later. Patrick Brown did good work on the left side before passing into the middle of the box but Smith skewed his effort wide of the target, with the entire goal to aim at, from dead centre.

The UWI came even closer to doubling their advantage in the 57^th minute when a good team move saw Robinson being released on the left. The midfielder was left holding his head when his fierce left footed drive cannoned of the base of the post and back into play.

Sitting deep and playing on the counter was paying dividends for the UWI and Anthony Greenland should have put the game to bed for the hosts in the 66^th minute.  The striker turned his marker Rohan Amos, almost on the half way line and raced off towards goal. One on one with Brown and with the keeper entirely at his mercy, Greenland shot wide of the right upright from 10 yards to keep the visitors in the match.

From there on it was all hands to the pump for the UWI as Waterhouse turned up the pressure in the hunt for the equalizer.

A free kick from Nicholay Findlayson was just too high for Anderson in the 72^nd minute, before Campbell spurned his team’s best chance when he shot high over the advancing Knight and also the goal from six yards.

A minute before the end of regulation time it seemed that Waterhouse would get a share of the points but a blinder of a save from Knight, diving to his right, helped secure all three points for the UWI as their defence stood strong when it mattered most.

Campbell received a red card for foul and abusive language in added time as Waterhouse ended the game with 10 players.

The UWI now has 19 points, the same as Boys Town who sit a place above them in 7^th spot, after they drew 1-1 with Rivoli United at the Barbican Field. Adrian King replied for the Red Brigade in the 70^th minute, after they had fallen behind to a Corey Burke strike in the 51^st minute. Rivoli who has 15 points, are second from bottom despite the fact that Burke leads the league with 11 goals.

Cavalier SC who has struggled to score goals this season, surprised league leaders Portmore United 2-1 at the Stadium East field. Goals from Donovan Alvaranga and Nicholas Hamilton gave them a two goal lead before Maalique Foster pulled one back for the visitors with ten minutes to go.

Former champions Harbour View were also 2-1 winners on the day, over visitors Tivoli Gardens. Mark Miller in the 37^th and Kevaughn Frater in the 75^th scored either side of the 40^th minute strike from Junior Flemmings for Tivoli, at the Harbour View Mini-Stadium.

FC Reno will host Arnett Gardens at the Frome Complex and Humble Lion will host Montego Bay United at the Effortville Community Centre today. Both games begin at 3:00pm.

Mobay United can go top if they win after the loss suffered by Portmore United on Wednesday and champions Arnett Gardens will look to climb back into the top four after being bounced out by Harbour View following the win by the Stars of the East yesterday.