Waterhouse FC surprised Concacaf Caribbean Cup champions Mount Pleasant Academy with a 1-0 win at Drax Hall Sports Complex yesterday to register back-to-back wins in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL).
The win lifted Waterhouse to eighth in the standings with 24 points, while Mount Pleasant remain fourth with 27. Montego Bay United (MBU) extended their lead after they blanked Chapelton Maroons FC 2-0 at Jarrett Park in Montego Bay. MBU sit on 42 points and Chapelton Maroons are sixth on 25. MBU’s nearest rivals, Racing United (35 points), were held to a 1-1 draw by third-placed Portmore United (33).
Waterhouse scored the winning goal through Neron Barrow in the 24th minute to dampen the mood of the home fans.
Javier Ainstein, newly appointed head coach of Waterhouse, highlighted the team’s defensive improvement in the second half.
“It’s not a secret that it was not easy to win here. We were in front of a great coach and opponent, so it was not easy for us. The team managed well, and the important thing for us was to secure the points,” said the Argentine Ainstein.
Ainstein pointed out that despite initial offensive opportunities missed, the team managed to score early.
“The goal gives you confidence and security. The second half was very defensive for us, but the idea was to keep winning,” added Ainstein.
Determined to make a statement, Waterhouse delivered a disciplined defensive performance in front of an intense crowd.
Meanwhile, Theodore ‘Tappa’ Whitmore said despite not being surprised by Waterhouse’s tactics, his team failed to execute their game plan.
“I think overall we didn’t deserve to win today. We didn’t apply ourselves, especially in the first half, and I didn’t think we were aggressive,” said Whitmore. “It’s a game we want to quickly forget and look forward to the next game.”
In a moment of brilliance midway the first half, Waterhouse FC’s Barrow curled his shot into the net from outside the 18-yard box for the winner.
Mount Pleasant pressed hard and attacked but despite their pressure, they were unable to consistently break down Waterhouse’s resilient back line; and on the few times they broke through they were denied by goalkeeper Roje Williams, who produced several brilliant saves.
In another game, MBU won their second match at Jarrett Park since their temporary move to the venue owing to Hurricane Melissa.
Nashordo Gibbs broke the deadlock in the third minute before Jourdain Fletcher scored his 12th goal of the season in the 77th minute to secure the win for the league leaders.
