WATERHOUSE yesterday worked their way back to the top the National Premier League with a 1-0 win over former leaders Reno at Frome.
It was a strong response from Waterhouse who fell to the previously winless Hazard on the weekend. With 14 points they are one ahead of Reno who are in second place.
At Railway Oval, Tivoli Gardens played to their second successive draw, coming up goalless in their game against Hazard. With the point earned from the draw, Tivoli moved to 12 points.
Hazard increased their tally to six points and maintained their three-point gap over Olympic Gardens who were also involved in a draw.
At Cling Cling Oval, Arnett Gardens, who welcomed back national striker Onandi Lowe, Eugene Barnes and Everton Bunsie, were lucky to end the game with a 2-2 draw. Their one point was due to the striking ability of Lowe who got both goals.
The burly striker, who returned from a one-week trial with English Premiership team Arsenal last week, opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a header. His goal remained the difference between the teams until the 22nd minute when Jonathan Williams headed in a Gregory Messam freekick from just inside the 18-yard box.
Once Olympic Gardens got the equaliser, Arnett found themselves playing catchup to very spirited opposition. It was a performance of character from the team which lost their coach over the weekend and played without a number of regular starters.
Olympic made numerous raids into the Arnett Gardens' area with Layton Barrett who screwed one shot just wide of the goal, Messam, Jonathan Williams and Marcus Morrison the major offensive forces.
While Olympic Gardens settled and controlled the game, Arnett took a more individualistic approach with Cornel Chin-Sue their only standout performer besides Lowe.
Still, Olympic were having their way with Arnett when goalkeeper Horace Jones made a crucial mistake in the 34th minute.
The goalkeeper chose to leave his line in an attempt to hold a long ball at the edge of the 18-yard box. Lowe timed his jump perfectly, hung in the air Michael Jordan-style before releasing a bullet from his forehead into the net.
Arnett Gardens went into the half in the lead but they were not a comfortable team.
Within nine minutes of the resumption Olympic Gardens were back on level terms courtesy of a strike from Curtis Carter. Carter collected a ball on his chest suspiciously close to his hand, turned and fired over the head of Selvin Collins.
Olympic Gardens had numerous opportunities to take the lead and kill off the game but selfishness and poor shooting - especially from Morrison - would not allow them to do so.
By Nodley Wright
Staff Reporter
YESTERDAY'S RESULTS
Olympic Gardens 2 Arnett Gardens 2
Tivoli 0 Hazard 0
Reno 0 Waterhouse 1
Harbour View 1 Wadadah 0
Seba 1 Constant Spring 1
