Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter
WATERHOUSE SECURED a place in the final of the Alliance Investment Management Limited KSAFA Under-20 competition when they turned back Tivoli Gardens 4-2 at Tony Spaulding Complex yesterday.
Despite rainy conditions leading to some areas of the pitch being sodden, early play by both teams was positive and they moved the ball around well despite the circumstances.
It was Waterhouse that trudged ahead in the 21st minute when Robert Robinson, surging down the left flank, produced a quality ball through to Mark Newcome who eluded a sliding defender and goalkeeper Jermaine Brown to calmly give his team a one goal advantage.
Robinson continued to be a nuisance to the Tivoli defenders and another strong run down the flank saw him cut inside of his defender and fire all along the ground to goal. Brown did well to stop the first shot full stretch, but could do nothing to prevent Jermaine Fletcher from charging in to give his team a two-goal cushion in the 25th minute.
Tivoli were, however, never really out of the game and in the 40th minute a through ball caught Waterhouse short at the back, allowing Dwayne Reid to blow by fully outstretched goalkeeper Jermaine Campbell and kick into an empty net to pull one back for his team.
SEARCHING
Both sides made a determined start to the second half as Tivoli searched for the equaliser and Waterhouse looked to advance further.
It was Tivoli who struck first when a well-aimed cross saw Horace Howell outjump goalkeeper Douglas, who clearly believed he was fouled, to knock the ball free and then head home, giving Tivoli the 73rd minute equaliser at 2-2.
Having scored the goal Tivoli looked the more likely team to go ahead as their attacks looked ever more menacing.
This was not to be, however, as this time it was the turn of Tivoli's back line to fall asleep, allowing Newcome to sneak in and beat Brown, giving his team an 84th minute lead.
Two minutes later Robinson slammed the door shut on any hopes of a late Tivoli equaliser. Finding himself with space at the back post, he blasted past Brown to give his team the win.
Coach of Tivoli Christopher Burnett believes a penalty shout that was not given played a role in his team's loss.
"We were supposed to get a penalty in the second half that was not called. This knocked the wind out of the players after which Waterhouse scored two goals, but our defenders were also careless around the back, costing us the game."
A confident Marcell Gayle of Waterhouse, however, never doubted his team would come away with victory.
"We dug in, worked hard and followed instructions. I wasn't worried when they came back because I have confidence in my players. It was only a matter of time before we scored again," Gayle remarked.
