Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

Gaynor - File

It is nervous times for title holders Waterhouse as they fight to retain their slim lead atop the Wray and Nephew National Premier League (NPL).

However, a convincing 3-0 win over Wadadah at Waterhouse Mini Stadium on Wednesday night certainly helped to ease the pressure a bit.

"This was a big one for us and winning right now is always going to be important, especially when the competition is this close," said a relieved looking Waterhouse coach, Barrington Gaynor.

"We didn't come out well, but we definitely picked things up in the second half and we will just have to take it from there," Gaynor added.

A loss would have seen the Drewsland team, which struggled in their last two games, fall into second place behind last year's runners up Harbour View.

The Waterhouse faithfuls were quite aware of this fact and twitched nervously in their seats as with a little over half an hour to go, the defending champions were yet to score.

However, in the 58th minute, they would find their voices when striker Brian Wollaston drifted into the box to bang over the head of Wadadah custodian Gavine Barrett, who could have done little to stop the near-post goal.

There would be an even bigger uproar from the relieved fans a minute later when national representative Demar Phillips, who latched on to a Ramsey cross, belted past Barrett from about 10 yards away.

Wollaston would finish Wadadah off when he rose high to head away an 85th minute cross from O'neil Robinson. Robinson, much to the delight of the crowd, had a solid game for the home team in midfield.

Disappointed coach

The result was a disappointing one for Wadadah coach Anthony Williams, but he believes his team gave a good account of themselves.

"I don't think the score was a true reflection of the game. We had a good first half but we made a couple of critical mistakes in the second," he said. "Nonetheless, I think the team played well. We had a couple of our younger players out there on the pitch today and that gives us a good base to build on."

Waterhouse remain in first place ahead of Harbour View on goal difference, as both are locked on 37 points, while Wadadah remain in 10th place with 15 points.

Waterhouse 3

Brian Wollaston 58th, 85th

Demar Phillips 59th

Wadadah 0