Wed | Jan 8, 2025

Humble Lion win at last!

Published:Sunday | August 1, 2021 | 1:31 AM
Humble Lion’s Andrew Vanzie takes a shot at goal during yesterdays’ Jamaica Premier League (JPL) football match between Humble Lion and Waterhouse at the UWI/Captain Horace Burrell Centre of Excellence. Vanzie scored both goals as Humble Lion won 2-1.
Kenyon Hemans
Humble Lion’s Andrew Vanzie takes a shot at goal during yesterdays’ Jamaica Premier League (JPL) football match between Humble Lion and Waterhouse at the UWI/Captain Horace Burrell Centre of Excellence. Vanzie scored both goals as Humble Lion won 2-1.

Humble Lion FC registered their first win of the season, with a come-from-behind 2-1 effort over Waterhouse FC in their Jamaica Premier League (JPL) football match at The University of the West Indies (UWI)-Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Captain Horace Burrell Centre of Excellence yesterday.

Veteran midfielder Andrew Vanzie netted both goals in the 19th and 43rd minutes to take his tally to three for the season, handing his team its first win from six matches. As a result, Humble Lion temporarily climbed off the bottom of the league standings and into 10th position on three points.

Despite their poor run, they are just three points off a top-six play-off spot, with four games remaining.

Colorado Murray had given Waterhouse a 17th- minute lead with a glancing header from a corner kick. The Drewsland-based Waterhouse, who were losing their first match of the season from five games, remained in sixth spot on six points.

Waterhouse started on fire and were the more aggressive team as they dominated the early proceedings and deservedly took the lead. When Murray popped up at the near post and headed home from a corner kick, it seemed Waterhouse were well on their way to remaining unbeaten. But in-form Vanzie had other ideas and from a free kick, a poor clearance fell nicely to him and he made no mistake from well inside the box, firing through a crowded area and into the net.

Things got worse for Waterhouse as Shawn Dewar fouled Andre Clennon in the box and referee Christopher Mason had no problem pointing to the spot. Vanzie once again took charge and easily dispatched the penalty kick, giving Humble Lion a well-needed victory to ease the pressure on head coach Andrew Price.

“It wasn’t the prettiest of games, but it was a gutsy performance. I asked for some energy today and I got it,” said a relieved Price.

Meanwhile, Waterhouse’s head coach, Marcel Gayle, said he knew Humble Lion would be coming out fighting because their backs are against the wall.

“It’s one of their best performances of the season. We were gallant today, but in front of goal our conversion rate has been plaguing us all season,” said Gayle.