Audley Boyd, Assistant Sport Editor

Waterhouse's Weston Forrest (centre) in action against Arnett Gardens. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

LIKE THE giant, purple-and-green cartoon character from which he draws his nickname, Weston Forrest stood with a child huddled by his side.

Only this time, 'Barney' was not skipping around in games with a bunch of kids looking to provide millions of others watching a cable feed with just as much fun.

The real 'Barney' had his own son, Aaron, and had just given Waterhouse Football Club supporters as much reason to be happy as the cartoon version does for viewers.

This time though, in a real game of football, scoring the lone goal in Sunday's Cash Plus Premier League (CPPL) encounter against Sporting Central Academy at Drewsland Mini Stadium.

Closer to the lead

"I was looking forward to it (goal)," the 24-year-old Forrest said, a comment which mirrored the hunger of his team's spectators, given that Water-house had been attacking in droves, searching for a winner to move closer to the leaders.

With only six minutes remaining on the clock, a sweeping build up started with goalkeeper Richard McCallum's throw to full back Michael Stone, then a slick ball move-ment with several one-time passes that ended with the ball being slipped to Damion Powell on the right side of the penalty box.

With one touch, Powell scythed the ball 'banana-kick-style' with the outside of his right boot. It hit the turf as it fell in front of Sporting's goalie Waldo Ricketts and spun like a ripping off-break in then out of Robinson's hands.

Then 'Barney' popped up, out of the blue, to head the ball into the goal and fill the crowd with glee.

'Watching the ball'

"Before I came on, while I was watching the game I noticed that the goalkeeper wasn't handling the ball well," observed the former national Under-23 midfielder who had developed his talent on the same Drewsland grounds while attending Drews Avenue Primary before moving on to Norman Manley where he won the Manning Cup.

"When I replaced Jomo Gordon at forward, I was hoping that he would make a mistake. I was watching the ball and I'm glad I was there to capitalise on it," Forrest explained.

Narrowed the gap

Continuing, the midfielder who was brought into the striker's role as a substitute earlier, noted the goal could not have come at a better time.

"I was under a lot of pressure," exclaimed Forrest, who has already won a Premier League title with Waterhouse. "There were expectations for me to play better. So, that goal will lift my confidence even more so that I can give a better performance on Wednesday (today)."

Having significantly cut the gap at the top of the standings led by by Tivoli Gardens (30) and Portmore United (28), Waterhouse (27) will hope for more against Harbour View (26) who have rediscovered their form following a brief slump, in a cracker at Drewsland Mini Stadium.

It could be time for another 'Barney' moment.