Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter
Waterhouse's Damion Williams shields the ball from Tivoli Gardens' Christopher Jackson during their Wray and Nephew National Premier League match at Edward Seaga Stadium yesterday. Waterhouse won 2-1. - IAN ALLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
WATERHOUSE EMERGED 2-1 victors over Tivoli Gardens in a fiery clash at the Edward Seaga Stadium to make it two wins in just as many games as the second round of the Wray and Nephew National Premier League continued yesterday.
With Tivoli Gardens failing to take advantage of their early scoring opportunities, two late first-half goals by the visitors seemed to be enough to give them a comfortable win.
Confusion in front of the Tivoli goal would allow Weston Forrest to run on to a poorly cleared ball and easily slot past Tivoli custodian Edsel Scott to break the deadlock in the 35th minute.
Seven minutes later, a left-sided corner swung across would bounce all the way through to the far post, where Irvino English would run on to fire his team to a two-goal lead.
Disappointed Tivoli coach Glendon 'Admiral' Bailey believes that the goals resulted from a lapse in concentration.
"We stuck to the game plan for the first 25 minutes, but we fell off. We made two simple mistakes and gave up two easy goals which really shouldn't have scored on us," he lamented.
"I think we showed a lot of character in the way we came out with a lot of heart and we made some key adjustments," he added.
A determined Tivoli Gardens came out firing on all cylinders for the second half, but rushed passing in the final third and stern Waterhouse defending made it difficult for them to get anything out of the game.
However, just when Water-house seemed to be comfortably ahead, things would get hot in the 77th minute. Referee Howard Stennett issued marching orders to defender Craig White for striking substitute Horace Howell during a tackle made in the 18-yard box.
In-form striker Christopher Nicholas would then step up to easily convert his third penalty and eighth goal of the season.
With one goal back and a one-man advantage, Waterhouse were barely able to hold off a surging Tivoli who attacked in waves, in a failed attempt to rescue at least a share of the points.
BAD REFEREEING
While happy for the victory Waterhouse coach Calvert Fitzgerald had a problem with the game's officiating.
"We knew coming here it would be a difficult game and we had to fight very hard for it and I don't think we got a particularly good game from the referee," he commented.
"Nonetheless, I am thankful for the three points. We did not have a good away record in the last round, so this win away definitely boosts our confidence. We haven't lost at home as yet and we are hoping to keep it that way," he said.
Waterhouse now move to third place with 22 points, one behind Portmore and 11 points behind league leaders Harbour View. Tivoli are now in sixth place with 19 points.
GOALSHEET
Tivoli Gardens 1
Christopher Nicholas 77th
Waterhouse 2
Weston Forrest 35th, Irvino English 42nd.
