- Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
Tivoli defender Denroy Gordon (left) tries to stop Waterhouse's Nigerian import Ucheckukwu Chinyere during yesterday's historic National Premier League game at Drewsland. Chinyere scored Waterhouse's winning goal - a thunderous rightfooter. The game ended 2-1.
Daraine Luton, Freelance Writer
HISTORY UNFOLDED yesterday when the two politically divided teams played a true home game for the first time in 24 years.
When it was done, 'Firehouse' burned their way into the end-of-first round final with a 2-1 win.
Home side Waterhouse moved back to Drewsland and found a victory through goals from the season's leading scorer, Kevin Lamey (fifth minute), and Nigerian import Ucheckukwu Chinyere (59th minute) while Tivoli's lone strike came from the boot of Roland Dean.
Lamey managed to get a deflection on an effort which eluded Edsel Scott in Tivoli's goal but Dean cancelled out that effort in the 19th minute - getting the better of defenders Kirk Martin and Rodger Rodney after the Waterhouse defence failed to clear a pass played deep into its area.
Waterhouse looked certain to go into the half with the lead but when Lamey found himself in a one-on-one position against Scott it was not to be as the former found the woodwork instead of the back of the net.
CHINYERE'S THUNDEROUS RIGHTFOOTER
Chinyere ensured that three points would come Waterhouse's way when he rocketed a rightfooter into the top left-hand corner of Scott's goal after the 'keeper spilt a Weston Forrest shot.
Waterhouse were on a high and so too was Desmond Breakenridge who played his heart out. In the 61st minute he robbed a ball from a Tivoli defender, took it to the by-line and crossed with pinpoint accuracy to Demar Phillips at the back post, but his St. Thomas teammate opted for a spectacular volley instead of a header and his shot went high.
The result means that defending champions Portmore United will have to wait until the second round for a chance to compete for a end-of-round crown as Harbour View, who play Rivoli today, still have to face Reno and would have to lose both of their games and see Portmore beat Village by two clear goals if they are to advance on goal difference over the men from Compound.
Who Waterhouse play in next Sunday's final is not important, said coach Harold Thomas.
"That is just a part of our objective. There are more medium and long term objectives for the club. We are just happy that we are able to get the points here to get the opportunity to look for another three bonus points," Thomas said.
STANDINGS
| P | W | D | L | GF | GA | | GD | Pts |
| Waterhouse | 11 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 23 | | 7 | +16 | 22 |
| H. View | 9 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 14 | | 5 | | +9 | 20 |
| Portmore | 10 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 15 | | 6 | | +9 | 19 |
| Tivoli | 11 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 15 | 11 | | +4 | 18 |
| Village | 10 | 4 | 4 | 2 | | 7 | | 5 | | +2 | 16 |
| Rivoli | 10 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 15 | 13 | | +2 | 13 |
| Reno | 9 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 9 | | 9 | | | 0 | 11 |
| Arnett | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 12 | 19 | | | -7 | 11 |
| C. Spring | 10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | | 7 | 18 | | -11 | 10 |
| Seba | 10 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 14 | 17 | | | -3 | 9 |
| Invaders | 10 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 12 | 17 | | | -5 | 8 |
| Star Cosmos | 10 | 0 | 3 | 7 | | 6 | 22 | | -16 | 3 |
