LeVaughn Flynn, Staff Reporter

Waterhouse striker Kevin Lamey (centre) is tackled by Tivoli's Oraine Simpson (left) and Richard West in Wray and Nephew National Premier League action at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex yesterday. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer.

A Roberto Fletcher strike just after half-time gave champions Waterhouse a 1-0 win against Tivoli Gardens in their Wray and Nephew National Premier League match at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex yesterday.

Fletcher tapped in his second goal of the season from close in to give Waterhouse six points from two games. He also scored in last week's 2-0 win against August Town.

Tivoli Gardens have only a point from their two outings. Their striker Nicholas McCreath had an off-day as he fumbled a number of chances in the first half. His best opportunity came in the 20th minute when he tried controlling the ball on his chest in the six-yard box, when he should have struck it first time as he was surrounded by defenders.

Tivoli's misfortunes continued as McCreath was off again from close range in the 40th minute and two minutes later Roland Dean saw his splendid shot from 20 yards away swerve past goalkeeper Richard McCallum only to hit the crossbar. Oraine Simpson also couldn't avoid the post as his 83rd minute strike went just too wide.

Shooting boots

"We just didn't seem to take our shooting boots today," commented Tivoli Gardens coach Calvert Fitzgerald.

Waterhouse also had their share of flops in the first half. The most blatant one was a miss-kick by Demar Phillips where he completely missed the ball.

After missing so many chances in the first half, Tivoli gave up a soft goal in the 48th minute as sloppy defending allowed Fletcher to score one of the easiest goals he'll ever get.

Both teams were reduced to 10 men in the 62nd minute when Marco McDonald and Roland Dean were ejected following a shoving match.

After the game, Waterhouse coach Barrington Gaynor said he wasn't satisfied with his team's performance but gladly accepted full points.

"I didn't think we played a particularly good game but the important thing is we came up with the three points." he said.

"There is still a lot of work to be done but we showed a lot of heart in the second half."

Despite losing, Fitzgerald said he thought his team "played excellently. I thought they played better than in the first game."

Tivoli

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Waterhouse	1
(Roberto Fletcher)