Daraine Luton, Freelance Writer
Portmore United's Kevin Deerr (right) stumbles over the ball as he is challenged from behind by Wadadah's Rohan Reid in the Wray and Nephew National Premier League match at the National Stadium yesterday. Both players scored a goal in the exciting goal-filled match that Portmore won 4-3. - RICARDO MAKYN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
ONLY FIVE points separate the top two teams in the Wray and Nephew National Premier League after Waterhouse yesterday made good on Harbour View's continued hiccups at the top.
Waterhouse, the end of second round champion, dubbed popularly as 'Firehouse' stopped three-time champion Arnett Gardens 3-2 at the National Stadium to move to 49 points, well within striking distance of Harbour View who lost 2-1 to Tivoli. At one point Harbour View led by 13 points.
"We need to catch Harbour View and we need to keep on winning. The players are ready for it and we are looking forward to it," said a jubilant Wayne Fairclough, coach of Waterhouse.
Top marksman Kevin Lamey scored a brace and won a penalty for Waterhouse, who trailed 2-0 after 18 minutes.
The National Stadium played host to a feast of goals, as a whopping 12 goals were scored in the double-header. Seven came in the curtain-raiser that saw Portmore United outscoring Wadadah 4-3.
'RED' CELEBRATION
In the opening game, Jonathan Williams sparked a 'red' celebration after connecting with a looping header from a Kwame Richardson cross in the 13th minute. This was amplified five minutes later when Cornel Chin-Sue beat Maurice Evans at his near post with a hard drive.
However, Lamey waved his magic wand in the 27th minutes, controlling a ball from Roberto Fletcher on his chest and then proceeded to beat Jerry Walters, who handled the ball resulting in a penalty which Irvino English converted.
Later Lamey struck from inside the box with a well taken shot, although Arnett's bench protested for handball. Lamey scored his second goal, the match-winner, in the 58th minute.
Arnett's coach Michael Tulloch said a lack of discipline let Waterhouse off the hook.
"We definitely allowed Lamey too much room. Lamey is a quality player and if you give him too much room you will pay and that happened today," Tulloch said.
In the day's opener, Portmore trailed twice but held on for a 4-3 win.
"I am not satisfied in giving up three goals," said Portmore's coach Paul Young.
"I am worried about that and so it is important that we work on it early. Sometimes, though, it is not how you win the game but it is the three points that counts," Young added.
PROBLEMS
Captain Daniel Ricketts converted on 15 minutes after Portmore's defence failed to clear a ball that Jermaine Anderson and Markino Gillings seemed to have problems to put away.
Wadadah had barely stopped celebrating when Kevin Deerr pulled one back after being fed a defence-splitting pass from midfield by Rafe Wolfe.
Rohan Reid, however, produce a stupendous 43-yard drive in the 27th minute to restore Wadadah's lead. Certainly, a contender for 'Goal of the Season', Reid's shot was struck with tremendous power from inside the centre circle. Jacomena Barrett, who was five yards off his line, tried to back-pedal but the ball had long cannoned into the roof of his net behind him.
Two minutes later though, Wadadah saw their lead again erased, this time for good, when defender Lesseps Love failed to connect with a back header to his goalkeeper, allowing Anthony Bennett to head into an open goal.
Both teams went to the interval locked at 2-2 but on the resumption, Portmore terrorised Wadadah's penalty area. Bennett got a second goal in the 54th minute before substitute Onandi Lowe got his first goal in a Portmore shirt in the 80th minute. Gillings got a consolation in the 90th minute for Wadadah.
Anthony Williams described the game as one for the fans but it "never produced the results we wanted".
He added: "At least a tie was what we wanted but we never played well enough so we just have to come again."
GOALSHEET
PORTMORE UNITED 4
Kevin Deerr 16th, Anthony Bennett 27th, 54th, Onandi Lowe 80th
WADADAH 3
Daniel Ricketts 15th, Rohan Reid 27th, Markino Gillings 90th
WATERHOUSE 3
Irvino English 27th (pen), Kevin Lamey 44th and 58th
ARNETT GARDENS 2
Jonathan Williams 13th, Cornel Chin-Sue 18th
