Maverley/Hughenden's goal scorer, Tyrone Crossfield (left), tries to flick the ball away from Tivoli Gardens' centre half, Kasai Hinds (right), in action from their Red Stripe Champions Cup Knockout clash at the Maverley field yesterday. Tivoli won the game 3-2 to advance to the semi-finals 9-2 on aggregate. - JUNIOR DOWIE/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
WATERHOUSE ENDED the campaign of rural teams in the 2006 Red Stripe Champions Cup All-Island Knockout football competition yesterday when they clipped Reno 2-1 at the Frome Sports Ground in Westmoreland to win their quarter-final tie 4-2 on aggregate.
In a game in which tempers flared in the latter stages, Waterhouse got their goals through skipper Craig White and Weston Forrest (penalty) while Reno got their consolation goal from substitute Ricardo Scott.
"It was not the type of game we came here hoping for but nonetheless we are pleased with the final result," said Waterhouse's coach, Wayne Fairclough. "We have to give credit to the Reno team as they turned in a fairly decent performance."
Reno, who went into the game knowing that they were the last hope for rural Jamaica, started out shakily and just missed falling behind in the fifth minute. However, Roberto Fletcher, who created a great opening for the Waterhouse team, fired wide with goalkeeper Aaron Lawrence at his mercy.
With Waterhouse dictating the pace and Reno only showing up in spurts, the Wray & Nephew NPL front-runners took the lead in the 32nd minute. Skipper White pounced on a rebound before the goal and slotted in off a defender, making the halftime score 1-0.
PENALTY
In the second half, Waterhouse continued to dominate and doubled their lead in the 59th minute when a Reno defender handled the ball and referee Courtney Campbell ruled penalty. Forrest made no mistake from the spot, making the score 2-0.
Finding themselves in deep trouble, Reno threw caution to the wind and went all out in attack. However, their efforts only yielded their consolation goal, which was fired home by Scott from a goal-mouth melée in the 63rd minute.
In yesterday's other early game, Tivoli Gardens eased their way into the semi-finals following a 3-2 victory over Super League team Maverley/Hughenden at the Maverley field.
There were no real surprises for the West Kingston team who were always odds on favourites to advance, following an impressive 6-0 thrashing of Maverley in their first-leg encounter. This saw them comfortably close out the fixture 9-2 on aggregate.
However, it was the home team that looked the hungrier of the two, as well they should considering the fact that they would need six clear goals to force overtime play.
PULLED LEVEL
Despite dominance in terms of possession by Tivoli, Maverley surged ahead in the 39th minute from a Tito Jackson close-range attempt which gave Tivoli custodian Damion Crooks no chance. But Tivoli wasted no time in responding and four minutes later, Christopher Nicholas pulled them level from 18 yards away, with a shot that somehow trickled past Maverely custodian Rayon Spencer.
The visitors would take the lead through Nicholas McCreath in the 48th minute but Tyrone Crossfield's blast, which beat Crooks at his near post, saw the teams back on level terms.
However, Carlton Young who had four goals in the first leg, sealed the issue for Tivoli with a goal in the 59th minute.
YESTERDAY'S RESULTS
Waterhouse 2
Craig White, 32nd, Weston Forrest, 59th pen.
Reno 1
Ricardo Scott 63rd
Tivoli Gardens 3
Christopher Nicholas 43rd, Nicholas McCreath 48th, Carlton Young 59th
Maverley 2
Tito Jackson 39th, Tyrone Crossfield 59th.
