Javane Bryan’s 69th-minute goal sealed Waterhouse’s place in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) playoffs after a 1-0 win over Harbour View at the Drewsland Mini-Stadium yesterday.

Waterhouse secured the sixth and final playoff spot on goal difference ahead of Montego Bay United, who defeated Tivoli Gardens 2-1 to finish level on 43 points. Tivoli’s defeat also saw them slipping from the second automatic semi-final spot to third behind Cavalier, who dumped Molynes United 6-0 to take second place on 54 points, three ahead of Tivoli.

Although Bryan was the hero on the day, the Waterhouse number nine was nearly the villain as he missed a number of chances before capitalising on a defensive mistake to score the all important goal.

Despite the harsh criticism he faced from his own fans on the day, the striker says it comes with the territory.

“That’s what the fans are here for. I don’t see it as pressure. I think they want us to do better. And for them to tell us to do better, it’s a great feeling

“But I am so grateful for myself and teammates who helped me to get that goal, and we are grateful to be in the playoffs,” he said.

Coach Neider Dos Santos of Montego Bay said his team had a good second round and did their job yesterday.

“Unfortunately today it didn’t go our way. We did our job to win our match, a difficult match. We had five wins in a row and 10 matches unbeaten so I have to congratulate the players. It is hard to get in that chase you know,” Dos Santos said.

It was an energetic start by both teams at Waterhouse and the hosts were first to threaten through Denardo Thomas and then Shamarie Dallas’ header.

Bryan should have scored on 12 minutes but scuffed his effort with Romario Palma at his mercy.

However, Harbour View also kept the Waterhouse defence on their toes, and Andre Fagan headed a ball against the post from an Odorland Harding cross.

Moments later, Bryan broke loose but fired wildly over the top.

Then Rohan Brown almost put Harbour View in front, but his shot was parried away by Kemar Foster.

Harbour View’s Jahshaun Anglin then broke in behind and rifled a shot just wide of the mark.

Waterhouse started the second half brightly and came close through Bryan and Thomas. Bryan then got a glorious chance, but he missed from three yards.

Romaine Breakenridge gave the hosts a brief reminder of their threat at the other end with a header blocked at close range.

The home fans’ frustration then reached near boiling point with Bryan when he was played through and he fired over the top. He made amends, however, a few minutes later when the Harbour View defence gave away possession and he pounced and fired a deflected shot past Palma in goal.

The striker nearly added to his tally a few minutes after, but his powerful strike slammed against the post.

Waterhouse assistant coach Damion Gordon said they made it harder than expected.

“We should have performed better, but the occasion got the better of us. But we are in the playoffs and we are grateful,” he said.

Although it was a disappointing season, which saw Harbour View finishing 12th, coach Ludlow Bernard said they represented themselves well on the day.

“We gave a good account of ourselves first half. Second half the intensity dropped, and we introduced some younger ones.

“But very disappointed with how we conceded. As a matter of fact that, basically, summed up our season, dominating games with nothing to show,” he stated.

Mount Pleasant topped the league on 59 points, followed by Cavalier (54), Tivoli (51), Portmore (49), Arnett Gardens (49), and Waterhouse (43) to complete the top six.

In the quarterfinals, Tivoli will play Waterhouse and Portmore face Arnett Gardens.

The league’s two new teams, Lime Hall and Treasure Beach, have been relegated.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com [3]

Yesterday’s results

Cavalier 6 Molynes 0

Dunbeholden 4 Vere 2

Montego Bay 2 Tivoli 1

Mount Pleasant 2 Lime Hall 1

Portmore 2 Humble Lion 0

Arnett 4 Treasure Beach 1