Waterhouse failed to beat Arnett Gardens for the third time this season, after Jeremy Nelson’s 62nd-minute goal earned the ‘Junglists’ a point in the Jamaica Premier League at the Drewsland Stadium on Sunday.
Neron Barrow gave hosts Waterhouse the lead in the 56th minute, but Nelson’s strike six minutes later cancelled out his effort, securing a point for the visitors.
Waterhouse coach Javier Ainstien said his team started well and took the lead, but were made to fight for a point in the end.
“We had to fight for the match. We started so good. At the end of the first half, Arnett were equalising the possession and the scoring chances.
“The second half, we started good but make a mistake, and the price you pay for always trying to play.
“We lost a ball in a buildup and Arnett scored. And after they scored Arnett grew a little, but with the substitutions, we finished the game better than them,” he said.
Waterhouse controlled most of the first half and had a few good openings which they failed to make the most of.
However, Arnett started to come into their own towards the end of the half and had a couple opportunities themselves.
Waterhouse took the lead early in the second half, when Colorado Murray stole possession in midfield and played Barrow in behind the Arnett defence. Barrow then held off Joel Jones before firing high inside Roje Williams’ near post.
However, Arnett drew level not long after when the Waterhouse defence lost possession playing out from the back, and Nelson was on hand at the far post to tap home the cross.
Giovanni Taylor had a great chance to put Arnett in front two minutes later, but Williams denied his weak effort to the far post, after he was clean through.
Denardo Thomas had the best chance to steal all three points for Waterhouse, but he headed over the top from six yards after a delightful cross from Roshawn Amos.
“We finished with some players improving the possession,” Ainstien added. “Everybody is working for the team and this is so important for me; the players are working hard. For me, it’s positive. We keep the fifth spot. It’s good for us.”
Arnett assistant coach Dicoy Williams said they started cautiously, but realised Waterhouse defenders were not comfortable playing out from the back and they took advantage of that.
“The boys fight throughout the game. It wasn’t an easy task, but we got most of the objectives done.
We played in a low block for the first few minutes and then we started to put some pressure on them, and hence, we created chances and got a goal.
“But Waterhouse was not so comfortable on the ball in defence and we pressed them a little higher, and they started making mistakes, and we capitalised and got a goal,” he commented.
Waterhouse stayed fifth in the table on 50 points, five above sixth-placed Cavalier and nine clear of Arnett in eighth.
At Ferdi Neita Park, Portmore scored twice in the last 10 minutes to draw 2-2 with MoBay. Kimani Arbouine (ninth) and Okeemo Jones (51st) put MoBay 2-0 up.
However, an own goal from goalkeeper Davonnie Burton (81st) and a Peter Mcgregor (88th) strike salvage a point for the home team.
At STETHS, Treasure Beach downed Tivoli 2-1 on goals from Orian Titus (23rd) and Shaquiel Campbell (45+1). Justin Dunn (21st) had equalised for Tivoli.
Harbour View and Chapelton drew 1-1 in their game at the Harbour View Stadium. Nathaniel Howe gave Chapelton the lead after 44 minutes, but Roderick Granville’s 61st-minute goal secured a point for Harbour View.
Cavalier defeated Molynes 2-0 on an Odane Wilberforce 46th-minute strike and a Gerald Neil own goal (75th).
Spanish Town Police turned back Dunbeholden 4-1 on a brace from Jaheim McGregor (45+3, 80th) and one each from Andrew Vanzie (24th) and Ryieme Gayle (65th).
Nevaun Turner (40th) scored Dunbeholden’s consolation.
Sunday’s Results
Harbour View 1-1 Chapelton
Treasure Beach 2-1 Tivoli
Portmore 2-2 Montego Bay
Sp Town Police 4-1 Dunbeholden
Cavalier 2-0 Molynes
Waterhouse 1-1 Arnett
Mount Pleasant 0-0 Racing
