By Charmaine Austin, Staff ReporterTHERE was no champagne and confetti but title holders Waterhouse celebrated their return to Drewsland in fine style with a 6-5 penalty win over Constant Spring in the KSAFA/Red Label Win Jackie Bell knockout football competition yesterday.
"We couldn't have asked for more. We wanted to put on a good show for the community since we haven't played ball down here in such a long time and here we are celebrating victory," said coach of Waterhouse, Calvert Fitzgerald.
Spectators refused to budge despite occasional downpours of rain as they were determined to witness the Waterhouse revival so many have only heard or read about. In the end it was worth the wetting.
Loxley Reid converted a penalty in the second minute, while Oneil 'Chippy' McDonald scored the equaliser for Constant Spring 10 minutes later for a 1-1 tie at the end of regulation time that set the stage for a thrilling climax.
Play was evenly contested for the most part but Constant Spring could have spanked themselves for missing the easiest of chances, among them a Jermaine Richards shot that hit the upright and rebounded.
"Our players did well despite the many missed chances. It was definitely even-steven and what we proved through this game is that we are not a pushover side. This performance is good for the players' morale going into Sunday's game," said Constant Spring's coach, Maurice 'Danny' Lyn.
"We would have liked to move on but we didn't win but that's okay. We made a good try," Lyn added.
Waterhouse, which were handed the title last season after the semi-final game to decide their opponents between Arnett Gardens and Tivoli Gardens was aborted after violent clashes between spectators, have been on a rampage in the National Premier League in this second round and it was this determined form that they took into yesterday's game.
Andre Hickling, Roberto Fletcher and Damion Powell gave Spring's goalkeeper Kirk Williams more work than he could handle but the custodian was equal to the task and impressed even the home crowd with brilliant saves.
