Ill-tempered affair

A 1-1 DRAW between Chapelton Maroons in the Jamaica Premier League yesterday at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex included a stunning goal, a controversial equaliser, and a bottle-throwing incident to mar it all.

Chapelton took the lead in the eighth minute through Levaughn Williams’ powerful left-footed shot that proved too difficult for Waterhouse’s custodian Kemar Foster to handle.

While Waterhouse’s leading marksman Atapharoy Bygrave found it difficult to carve out any goalscoring opportunities, his teammate Leonardo Jibbison tried relentlessly but was superbly denied by Chapelton Maroons’ skipper Nathaniel Howe on the goal line in first-half added time.

In the second half, Waterhouse’s Denardo Thomas came close to the equaliser in the 46th minute but could only watch as his right-footed strike went inches wide.

In the 75th minute, Waterhouse was again denied as goalkeeper Prince-Daniel Smith pulled off a magnificent save to stop Bygrave. After all those chances, Waterhouse managed to pull level in the 78th minute, courtesy of a header from substitute Javane Bryan.

But things weren’t so simple, as Bryan’s goal would lead to a 12-minute stoppage.

The header, which was partially saved by Smith, was adjudged to have crossed the line, but the custodian disagreed.

Smith took his opinion to the fourth official, but during the discussion, an angered Waterhouse fan threw a bottle, containing a liquid at Smith.

Smith’s reaction to being splashed with the substance prompted a second yellow card.

Police personnel entered the field of play to ensure calm was restored before the game could continue.

Marcel Gayle, head coach of Waterhouse, said, while his attackers weren’t at their usual best, he was pleased with walking away with a point. He was also not surprised that Bryan was the man who found the equaliser.

“We fought gallantly and I believe we were in control for most of the game. I think, up front, we were a little lacklustre but such is the game. Who else but Javane Bryan?” said Gayle.

Oniel Thompson, head coach of Chapelton Maroons, explained that getting a draw against a team like Waterhouse is something he’s okay with.

“We will continue to grow, learn, as this is the second best result. If you don’t win, then take a draw, and this is one we can take. Waterhouse is a team that many tipped to be in the top six, so we want to continue showing that we can compete,” he said.

orane.buchanan@gleanerjm.com