Waterhouse 'happy for three points'

Nodley Wright, Gleaner Writer

Former champions Waterhouse received the richest rewards in the Digicel Premier League (DPL) on Sunday as they were the only team to register a win in six games played.

With the three points earned from their 2-1 win over Reno at the Waterhouse Mini Stadium, the Drewsland-based team worked their way back into the top three, edging Boys' Town out of third place on goal difference. Both teams are on 43 points, five fewer than leaders Tivoli Gardens and two fewer than Portmore United. Reno remain seventh on 32 points, the same as Arnett Gardens.

Peter Keyes, in the 18th minute, and Jermaine Anderson, in the 84th, gave Waterhouse a 2-0 lead before Kemar Dawkins gave the visiting team some consolation with a strike in the 89th minute.

"We are happy for the three points which have ensured that we stay close to the leaders," Waterhouse's assistant coach, Xavier Gilbert, said after the game.

"We had a miserable second round so we have to ensure that we have a strong third round. This is how we started the first round, and right now we are just two points behind where we were at that stage. One of the key things is that we have to ensure that we do not lose to any of the teams ahead of us," added Gilbert, who also expressed displeasure at his team's lack of focus and concentration, which he said gave Reno a lifeline.

Michael Graham of Reno felt that there was not enough application in the first half, which hurt his team.

"In the first half, we turned the ball over too many times. We went forward but we were just waiting for things to happen and we did not have enough possession of the ball," lamented Graham.

"In the second half, we made some adjustments and brought in players who gave us what we wanted. Troy Reid was giving us gallery when we wanted goals, so we put in Jeffroy Leslie, an Under-21 player, and he did well. Craig Foster got injured so he had to be replaced as well," added the former national representative.

Despite the performance and the result, Graham saw enough not to be discouraged.

"Overall, though, I must say it is a young team and what is taking place is work in progress. Most of the players who were used were Under-21s, as we have not been able to use the nucleus of our senior players, with a number of them such as O'Brian Woodbine, Fabian Blake and others being injured," Graham explained.

TEAMS:

Waterhouse - Richard McCallum, Theo Brown, Weston Forrest, Odain Simpson, Kemar Thomas (Jordaine Fletcher 86th), Vincent Earle, Hugh Howell, Peter Keys, Jermaine Anderson, Ashani Walker (Jason Watson 69th), Rohal Amos.

Booked - Howell 50th.

Subs not used - Jermaine Fletcher, Kemar Rodney, Joel Messam, Akeem Thenstead, Andre Clennon, Johanthan Williams.

Reno - Gavin Barrett, Glenroy Cooper (Linval Wilson 32nd), Omar Dallas, Evan Taylor, Jashane Foster, Desmond Montique, Troy Reid (Jeffroy Leslie 70th), Kenroy Hutchinson, Craig Foster, Delroy Phillips, Kemar Dawkins.

Booked - T. Reid 21st.

Subs not used - Marchris Richards, Afiba Chambers, Shane Anderson, Paul Salmon, Kawayne Wilson.