In-form Waterhouse clip 10-man Portmore

Waterhouse continued their impressive form in the Wray and Nephew-sponsored Jamaica Premier League (JPL) as they picked up their sixth win in seven games as they edged 10-man Portmore United 1-0 yesterday at Ferdi Neita Park.

Mario Simms scored the lone goal in the contest as he buried a free kick in the ninth minute of first-half injury time to hand his team all three points.

The win sees Waterhouse move to 37 points as they remain fifth in the standings, six points behind Portmore who are fourth with 43.

The positive result represents a continued trend of wins for Waterhouse who have turned their fortunes around after a string of poor results earlier this season.

Waterhouse started the better of the two teams and had several opportunities at goal, but could not get past Portmore’s goalkeeper Daniel Russell.

Their best opportunity came when Javane Bryan’s effort from close range forced a last-ditch goal-line clearance from Russell in the 13th minute.

Portmore’s resistance did not last long, however, as Simms, lining up a free kick from just outside the box, set loose a curling effort that found the bottom-left corner and left Russell rooted on his goal line.

Waterhouse should have doubled their lead after a show of quick feet from Bryan and Ky-Mani Campbell opened the space for Campbell to whip a dangerous ball across the face of goal. However, there were no Waterhouse attackers on the end of the delivery.

Any chance of a Portmore comeback died when Romeo Guthrie was given his marching orders after a high boot during play in the 75th minute.

In the day’s other game, defending champions Cavalier picked up their second win in a row when they downed Molynes United 2-0 at Stadium East.

Christopher Ainsworth (53rd) and Daryl Massicot (73rd) made the difference for Cavalier.

With the win, Cavalier now sit firmly in sixth spot in the standing on 36 points, opening a four-point gap between them and seventh-place Dunbeholden.

For Molynes, they dropped valuable points in the relegation fight, as they sit 12th on 24 points, just three points above the drop.

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com