Adrian Frater, News Editor

Waterhouse's Irvine English struck twice as his side went to the top of the NPL standings with a 3-0 victory over Wadadah, at Jarrett Park, on Wednesday night. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

WESTERN BUREAU:

CHAMPIONS WATERHOUSE bubbled to the top of the standings in the Wray and Nephew National Premier League on Wednesday night at Jarrett Park when goals by Irvino English and Demar Phillips gave them a convincing 3-0 win over Wadadah.

"I was quite pleased with our first-half performance as we moved the ball around and dominated," said Waterhouse coach Barrington 'Cobra' Gaynor. "We started slowly in the second half and they (Wadadah) started coming at us. However, after we got our second goal, we took control."

Waterhouse, who now have five wins from seven starts, have moved up to 17 points, one more than Harbour View, who led going into Wednesday's round of games.

Wadadah, who lost for the fourth time this season, remain in mid-table on nine points.

In what was a fairly competitive first half, Waterhouse took the lead in the 34th minute when English pounced on a corner-kick after a series of blunders by the Wadadah defence and booted home easily, making the half-time score 1-0.

After successfully soaking up the early second-half pressure applied by Wadadah, Waterhouse doubled their lead in the 75th minute. It was once again English, who found himself in the right position for a cross and slotted in past goalkeeper Gavin Barrett, making the score 2-0.

With Wadadah pretty much resigned to defeat and the referee playing stoppage time, Phillips used the opportunity to put himself on the scoresheet, latching on to a Kevin Lamey cross and firing home easily, giving his team a 3-0 margin of victory.

Consistency

"Moving to the top of the standings is as a result of our consistency," said an elated coach Gaynor. "We are consistently earning three points from our games and once we continue to do that throughout the season, we will definitely be on top come the end."

In taking an early look at the possibility of his team retaining the title and not choking as Harbour View did after leading for most of the season, Gaynor said, based on the club's programme, instead of falling off as the season progresses, he expects Waterhouse to get better.

"The Waterhouse team is a work in progress and there are still some things to work on - I think we need to play for 90 minutes - we are now doing a good job for 45 minutes and then falling off," said Gaynor. "Once we get into full stride, I expect the team to keep getting better."

Waterhouse - 3

(Irvino English, 34th, 75th, Demar Phillips, 90th)

Wadadah - 0