Howard Walker, Staff Reporter
Waterhouse goal scorers Irvino English (right) and Roberto Fletcher celebrate their team's first goal, which was netted by English, in the Wray and Nephew National Premier League match against Rivoli United at Spanish Town Prison Oval yesterday. Waterhouse won 2-1. - RICARDO MAKYN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
TITLE-CHASING Waterhouse kept up the pressure on Harbour View with a hard fought 2-1 win over Rivoli in their Wray and Nephew National Premier League (NPL) encounter at the Spanish Town Prison Oval yesterday.
Irvino English opened the scoring in the 56th minute by bundling in a Demar Phillips free-kick, and Roberto Fletcher doubled the lead 20 minutes later.
Fletcher, a first half substitute for the injured Jomo Gordon, tapped home from close range in the 76th minute after good work from Kirk Ramsey down the right flank.
Another substitute, Patrick Beech of Rivoli, rammed home in the 78th minute, after finding himself with oceans of space in the box, to set up an intriguing last 20 minutes.
The blue and yellow-clad Waterhouse, close the gap to one point on leaders Harbour View, who played Seba United in last night's late game at Jarrett Park.
Waterhouse moved to 56 points, while Harbour View were on 57 ahead of last night's game. The Stars of the East also have a game in hand against Portmore United.
Winning coach, Wayne Fairclough of Waterhouse was not pleased with his team's performance, but welcomed the three points nevertheless.
"I'm not satisfied with the performance but three points is three points and once you get the points you can stay in touch with the leader," said Fairclough.
He added: "I think Rivoli came and fought stoutly and defended well because they had everything to play for but in the end our flank movements paid dividends for us."
Rivoli remain rooted to the bottom of the 12-team NPL standings with 18 points from 28 games with only two wins.
Calvin Fitzgerald, coach of the struggling Rivoli, is yet to win a game since taking over of the Spanish Town-based outfit at the start of the third round.
"It is getting tougher with every match because we are fighting but always falling short. We need to start putting some points on the board but we are not able to do it at this time," said Fitzgerald.
Rivoli remain the relegation favourites and are now four points behind Constant Spring on 22 points with third from bottom, Reno on 27 and their hope of staying in the league is diminishing.
"It is fading very fast because we only have five games remaining to get 15 points. But we just have to continue fighting and hope that things will turn our way," he said optimistically.
In the Under-21 game, Waterhouse completed the double over the home team with a comprehensive 4-0 victory.
GOALSHEET
WATERHOUSE 2
Irvino English 56th, Roberto Fletcher 76th
RIVOLI 1
Patrick Beech 78th.
