Waterhouse FC continued their push for a Wray and Nephew Jamaica Premier League playoff spot with a convincing 3-0 victory over Harbour View FC at the Waterhouse Mini Stadium in Drewsland on Monday.
The encounter, which served as the feature of a double-header did not disappoint, as a brace from substitute Javane Bryan (80th, 83rd) and an early strike from Leonardo Jibbison (15th) secured Waterhouse's second win on the trot. With the win, they moved up to seventh on 44 points, just one behind Tivoli Gardens, who currently occupy the final playoff spot.
It was a performance that left head coach Marcel Gayle beaming with pride as they honoured their word to dedicate the win to former coach Geoffrey Maxwell, who recently passed away.
“I am very proud. The guys said that they needed to do this one for Coach Maxwell; in camp we spoke a lot about it, and we had a heart-to-heart with them, and they went out from start to finish and played good football. We are strong in the areas we wanted to be in; even though Harbour View came at us, we defended well; hence, we get a clean sheet, and that’s great,” Gayle said.
His counterpart, Donald Stewart, rued what could have been as they remain close to the relegation zone in 11th place on 28 points with the season now at its business end.
“The effort wasn’t lacking, but we weren’t good enough in stopping the opportunities that they created. I think the goals that were conceded were two soft goals that we could have defended much better against. The second goal that bounced over the keeper, I think he should have done better on that, but we will continue to work and be unified in our efforts going forward,” Stewart shared.
It was a slightly tentative start by both teams, as they felt each other out and probed for weaknesses but failed to create any real sparks early on.
However, Waterhouse found the breakthrough in a moment of opportunism and composure as Nicholas Hamilton won possession inside Harbour View’s 18-yard box and smartly laid off a pass to Jibbison. The attacker sidestepped a lunging defender before calmly slotting the ball past goalkeeper Anthony Bennett from close range for his fourth goal of the season.
Waterhouse's early lead prompted a reaction from Harbour View, who slowly began to find their rhythm. They went close through Dejaun Green, whose shot from close range was kept out by Akeem Bernard in goal for Waterhouse.
Minutes later, Trayvonne Reid unleashed a well-struck freekick from over 20-yards out, but Bernard, who got down well to his left, proved equal to the task.
The ‘Stars of the East’ had another opportunity to pull level in the 41st minute, when Green rose highest to meet a cross but saw his header blocked by Bernard, while Reid’s follow-up shot was also denied by the custodian, who ensured Waterhouse held their slender advantage at the break.
Much like it was at the start, both teams battled for midfield control but failed to produce any clear-cut chances. It wasn’t until the 64th minute that the game sparked into life, courtesy of a slick Waterhouse build-up. A delightful Kymani Campbell pass across the 18-yard box found Andre Fletcher arriving late, but his shot was brilliantly saved by Bennett.
Waterhouse then had a penalty shout waved away in the 72nd minute when Barbadian Omani Leacock burst into the box and appeared to be clipped by a defender. The referee, however, remained unmoved.
That missed call nearly came back to haunt Waterhouse moments later, as Harbour View spurned a golden opportunity to equalize in the 74th minute. Rohan Brown mistimed his jump while attempting to meet a teasing cross, and the ball glanced harmlessly off his shoulder instead of his head, much to their frustration.
From there, the tide fully turned in Waterhouse’s favour as Harbour View was gifted a free kick after Bernard handled the ball outside his area. The set-piece, however, came to nothing, and Waterhouse quickly turned defence into attack with a blistering counter.
Leacock led the charge, feeding Fletcher, who rolled a perfect pass into the path of Bryan. The substitute unleashed a powerful right-footed strike from distance that bounced awkwardly in front of Bennett and nestled into the net.
Barely three minutes later, Bryan, last year’s Golden Boot winner, struck again. This time, it was Leacock once more, who played provider as he placed a precise pass across the face of goal for Bryan, who applied the finishing touch with a well-placed left-footer that beat the diving Bennett.
Waterhouse continued to press for a fourth, and Dyllan John nearly added his name to the scoresheet late on as his powerful left-footed drive forced Bennett into a sharp save in time added.