Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:In a contentious encounter characterised by bruising tackles, Waterhouse clipped home team Montego Bay United FC (MBUFC) 2-1 in their Red Stripe NPL fixture at the Montego Bay Sports Complex on Thursday before a crowd which had several fans from the western city rooting for the Kingston and St Andrew-based team.

Waterhouse, who ended the first half with a 1-0 lead, which they subsequently doubled minutes into the second half, scored through Andre Clennon and Jermaine 'Tuffy' Anderson, who got resounding cheers from the fans from his Granville home community, who came out in generous numbers to support him. MBUFC's consolation goal came from Leon Irving.

held on to position

By virtue of taking the maximum three points, the Waterhouse team held on to their top-three position, moving up to 50 points, 10 behind runaway leaders Harbour View. The struggling MBUFC remain off the pace on 41 points.

"It was a difficult game for us because we did not travel well ... In addition, the playing surface was kind of heavy," said Waterhouse's coach Junior Francis.

"Nonetheless, we fought hard and achieved what we wanted, which was to take all three points."

worrying concern

For MBUFC's coach Dr Dean Weatherley, who will be parting company with the team soon to take up coaching duties at his alma mater Cornwall College, the team's continued lacklustre showing in recent games is now becoming a worrying concern.

"We are not playing the kind of football we are capable of, and the results have not been going our way in recent matches," said Weatherley. "We just have to sit down, analyse, regroup, and try to get back to where we were at the end of the second round."

After an enterprising start in which both teams gave as much as they got, Waterhouse took the lead in the eighth minute when Clennon broke free on goal. His initial shot was blocked by the goalkeeper, but he fired in the rebound.

Waterhouse started the second half in control and were rewarded in the 50th minute when they were awarded a penalty for an infraction the referee spotted deep inside the MBUFC penalty area. Anderson made no mistake from the spot for a 2-0 Waterhouse lead.

MBUFC got on the scoresheet in the 88th minute when Irving pounced on a cross and nodded out of the reach of the goalkeeper.