Bradford stars in big Waterhouse win
Published:Sunday | September 5, 2021 | 12:06 AMLivingston Scott - Gleaner Writer
Shaquille Bradford, who bagged a brace in Waterhouse’s 4-1 win over Molynes United in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) at the UWI-Captain Horace Burrell Centre of Excellence on Friday, has continued to grow in importance for the Drewsland club the more the season progresses.
The former Camperdown ace, who has come off the bench for much of the season but has started the last two matches, said he has been working on aspects of his game and waiting patiently on his chance.
However, now that he has laid down his marker with three goals in his last two matches, and fourth this season, the attacking midfielder said his intention is to carry on his good form.
“I feel very pleased because I have been working hard, especially in the training sessions. Everyone of us (players) can do the job individually. So I was just waiting on my chance and now that I have got it, I want to keep up the good work,” he said.
“The last few games I didn’t feel comfortable around the box, so I trained and worked on that and you can now see it in the games,” he added.
Waterhouse struggled to find the net in the first half of the season, scoring five goals in their first six games.
However, the Marcel Gayle-coached team has found their scoring boots in recent weeks netting 12 goals in the last four and eight in their last two matches, and Bradford believes they are getting things right at the perfect time of the season.
“It all started in training. We have always done well with our play making and our passing, now you can see the comfort that we are achieving and we just want to continue doing what we are doing,” he added.
The win put Waterhouse atop the JPL standings with 16 points.
Kymani Bailey opened the scoring after three minutes before Bradford added the second in the 13th minute.
Nicholas Nelson, joint second on the scoring chart with five goals, pulled a goal back from the penalty spot in the 29th minute.
However, Damion Binns restored Waterhouse’s two-goal advantage with a 62nd-minute goal before Bradford sealed the win with his second on 72 minutes.
Second from bottom, Molynes United (six points) are out of the running for a play-off spot and coach, Anthony Patrick, said his players lacked motivation.
“Definitely when you look at some of the players, you can see that (lack of motivation) is what’s going on.
“But I am really looking at next season and see who can be retained. We want to give everyone a fair opportunity to be a part of the team,” he commented.
Yesterday’s results
Cavalier 1 (Ronaldo Webster 39th) Portmore 0
Mount Pleasant 0
Vere United 0
Saturday’s matches
12:00 – Arnett Gardens vs Dunbeholden
2:30 p.m. – Tivoli Gardens vs Humble Lion