Seba United clip hot Waterhouse
published:
Friday | February 22, 2008
Adrian Frater, News Editor
Mario Samuels struck the decisive goal for Seba against Waterhouse on Wednesday evening. - File
WESTERN BUREAU:
SEBA UNITED'S resurgence in the Cash Plus Premier League gained further momentum on Wednesday evening when they clipped high-riding Waterhouse 1-0 on their home turf at Jarrett Park in Montego Bay.
Seba, who entered the game fresh from a big 4-1 victory over Reno in their previous outing, showed very little respect to the Waterhouse team as they played with much energy, purpose and enthusiasm and with more luck could have won by a much wider margin than Mario Samuels' lone strike.
"We have been doing a lot of extra work in our training sessions and it has been showing in our recent games," said Seba United's coach, Theodore 'Tappa' Whitmore. "The players are now more focused and as result they are playing with more purpose."
By virtue of their win, Seba have jumped up to 22 points and are steadily moving clear of the relegation zone. For Waterhouse, the defeat has left them on 36 points, which keeps them in proximity to front-runners Tivoli Gardens (40) and Portmore United (43).
Seba started the game looking quite composed and could have taken the lead twice in the the first eight minutes. Delroy Ellis side-footed over the crossbar in the fifth minute and three minutes later, Oliver Trail took a neat pass from Omar Reid but faltered, having only the goalkeeper to beat.
Savage shot
Waterhouse came to life in the 11th minute when Damion Powell's savage shot shook up goalkeeper Jacomena Barrett, who collected safely on the second attempt.
Waterhouse again came close in the 19th minute when Irvino English's superb free kick was brilliantly saved by the diving goalkeeper.
In the heat of battle midway the half, both teams lost a player each via the red-card route after Ellis and Waterhouse's strongman defender Oniel Thomas were ejected for exchanging blows.
In the dying moments of the half, the Waterhouse team was again denied by the brilliance of goalkeeper Barrett, who did extremely well to thwart Leon Strickland, who burst out of midfield and unleashed a powerful grounder which was blocked inches away from the goal.
Took lead
Seba took the lead moments into the second half when Samuels pounced on a ball down the left flank and from an acute angle, beat the outstretch hands of the diving Waterhouse custodian, making the score 1-0 and setting off wild celebrations in the stands.
Seba went into overdrive following the goal and had Waterhouse on the run for long periods as Omar Reid and Kemar Mills teased and tantalised the Waterhouse defence with their deft touches and smart dribbling. However, they failed to transform their dominance into goals.
After watching Seba waste a sitter in the 60th minute when Mills fired straight at the goalkeeper from six yards, Waterhouse squandered the easiest of chance in the 75th minute when Roberto Fletcher directed his header straight at the goalkeeper from four yards out.
