Adrian Frater, News Editor
WESTERN BUREAU:
CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENDERS Waterhouse FC showed the indomitable spirit that champions are made of at the Frome Sports Ground in Westmoreland yesterday when they battled back bravely from two goals down to score a dramatic 3-2 win over Reno FC.
In what was an action-packed thriller Reno, which scored through Everton Palmer and Ricardo Scott, had a 2-0 lead with 32 minutes to go. However, brilliant substitutions by coach Wayne Fairclough, which saw Kevin Lamey and Demar Phillips coming into the game, saw Waterhouse storming back to score three goals in 20 minutes through Lamey, Phillips and Weston Forrest.
Following the game, an emotional coach Fairclough, with tears of joy streaming down his face, paid tribute to the resilience of his team.
"We have been showing guts and determination all season but no more so than today," said a relieved Fairclough. "We realized that things were not going well and we went to the bench because we know the depth of this team and it worked. I am extremely happy."
CREDITED
Despite the disappointment of coming so close but not going all the way, Reno's player/coach Aaron Lawrence said his team, which switched from an all-out attacking mode into an ultra-defensive style after going two goals up, must be credited for taking the fight to Waterhouse and giving such a good account of themselves.
"We had them on the run for long periods but it was such a pity that we could not hold on," said Lawrence. "However, we can't kill the players because they fought their hearts out and had it not been a quality team such as Waterhouse, I am sure we would have won."
By virtue of the result, the Waterhouse team, which started the game locked atop the 12-team standings with Harbour View on 59 points but with an inferior goal difference, moved up to 62 points while Reno, which is seeking to move clear of the relegation zone, remain in the lower half of the tables on 30 points.
Following a spirited opening burst in which they exposed the Waterhouse defence on several occasions, Reno team took the lead in the 21st minute. Drian McNain spread the Waterhouse defence wide with a superb right side dribble and then crossed perfectly to Palmer. His header flashed past the goalkeeper, making the half-time score 1-0.
SPECTACULAR VOLLEY
With Reno still calling the tune and looking increasingly ominous, they went further ahead in the 58th minute when Scott, with his back turned to the goal, hooked a spectacular volley, which flew over the head of the goalkeeper and crashed into the roof of the net, making the score 2-0.
With his team under severe pressure, Fairclough injected Lamey and Phillips and the tide gradually began to turn in Waterhouse's favour. In the 70th minute, Phillips caught the Reno defence napping and slipped through neatly before cracking a sharp shot past goalkeeper Dwayne Kerr, making the score 2-1.
Waterhouse's brilliant late charge pulled them level in the 86th minute when Forrest pounced on a delicate chip from Lamey and nodded between the goalkeeper and several defenders, making the score 2-2 and sending a hush over the home crowd.
With the final whistle looming, Waterhouse were handed victory on a platter when defender Dwayne Williams handled the ball under pressure, in the 90th minute, and the referee ruled penalty. Lamey stepped home calmly and booted home, making the final score 3-2.
GOALSHEET
| Reno | 2 |
| Everton Palmer 21st |
| Ricardo Scott 58th |
| Waterhouse | 3 |
| Demar Phillips 70th |
| Weston Forrest 86th |
| Kevin Lamey 90th |
