Adrian Frater, News Editor
WESTERN BUREAU:
WATERHOUSE, BEHIND goals from Demar Phillips and Jomo Gordon, fought off the determined challenge of Reno to register a hard-fought 2-1 win over the Westmoreland team in their NPL match at the Frome Sports Ground in Westmoreland yesterday.
By virtue of their win, the Waterhouse team, which fell behind to an early first half strike by Kevon Grant, remain comfortably in second place behind leaders Harbour View on 38 points. Reno, who have 20 points, dropped one spot to eighth place in the standings. "We played a determined game today. It was not that it was easy but I guess we wanted it more," said Waterhouse's assistant coach Hugh 'Binghi' Blair. "Getting three points on the road is always a good result."
The game started with Reno having the early advantage and looking much more composed in attack. After coming close twice in the opening minutes, they took the lead in the 14th minute. On a break down the middle, Grant pounced on a through pass and calmly slotted passed the goalkeeper, making the score 1-0.
Finding themselves behind, Waterhouse increased the tempo of their play as they battled to get back into the game.
REWARDED
They were rewarded in the 38th minute when Phillips won possession on the edge of the goal area, turned sweetly and cracked a powerful shot past goalkeeper Dwayne Kerr, making the halftime score 1-1.
Waterhouse started the second half looking much more composed as they began forcing back the Reno team with a series of well-coordinated attacks.
Initially, they met sturdy resistance from the Reno back-line, which had Godfrey Stewart's winning daCosta Cup captain Dwayne Williams playing the sweeper role.
With relentless pressure mounting on them, the Reno defence finally cracked in the 62nd minute. A good low cross to the edge of the Westmoreland team's goal area found Gordon unmarked. He pounced on the ball and fired powerfully into the roof of the net, making the score 2-1.
Towards the end of the game, it became and ill-tempered affair with both teams getting involved in numerous off-the-ball antics.
Waterhouse's Irvino English was red-carded in the 87th minute after a confrontation with Grant and two minutes later, Reno lost Nicoli Findlayson after a second bookable offence.
The game was rapidly getting out of control with harsh tackles being executed by both teams when the final whistle thankfully blew.
GOALSHEET
Waterhouse 2
Demar Phillips, 38th, Jomo Gordon, 62nd
Reno 1
Kevon Grant, 14th
