Crucial points for Waterhouse
Published:Monday | March 25, 2024 | 12:11 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
Waterhouse took a significant step towards securing the sixth and final playoff spot in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) after a hard-fought 1-0 win over rivals Dunbeholden at the Drewsland Mini-Stadium yesterday.
The team’s leading scorer, Javane Bryan, scored the all-important goal just before half time, with the result pushing Waterhouse to 37 points, three clear of Dunbeholden. Montego Bay United are also on 37 points after a win yesterday, but Waterhouse have a superior goal difference.
“It was a spirited performance,” Waterhouse coach Marcel Gayle said after the game. “We set some objectives and achieved them today. The main objective was to win, and we knew we had to keep a clean sheet, and we did just that. Offensively, we were also strong. We are grateful for the victory, and now we turn our attention to our next two games.”
In a high-intensity, high-quality first half, both teams went for it knowing what was at stake, and the two teams created good chances in the first half-hour of the match. However, it was Waterhouse who broke the deadlock in the 45th minute when Damion Hyatt palmed Revaldo Mitchell’s effort into the path of Bryan, who stabbed home from six yards.
Wasted opportunities
Bryan had a golden opportunity to make it 2-0 moments later but steered his effort just wide of the target.
After the break, Waterhouse could have extended their lead early in the half, but neither Bryan nor Andre Fletcher could take advantage of the chances they got.
Dunbeholden dominated possession after and pushed the hosts back but failed to capitalise on their good play.
Waterhouse eventually broke that momentum and came into their own, and Denardo Thomas had a dangerous strike at goal while Donovan Segree responded with a vicious strike of his own that just missed the upright.
In the last minutes, Dunbeholden threw everything but the kitchen sink, but a resilient Waterhouse defence held out to secure three precious points.
“No. It’s not the end of the road,” Dunbeholden coach Lenworth Hyde commented. “We will continue to train and try our best to get something out of the last (two) games.”
Although pleased with his team’s effort, he thought they failed to finish their chances.
“I love the game we played today. We tried some things and kept the ball some of the time, but we weren’t finishing, we weren’t shooting.
“I think that is the area we were let down. We could have had more opportunities at goal, but I won’t knock the players. It was a spirited performance.”