Mitchell’s strike lifts Waterhouse
THE MARCEL Gayle-coached Waterhouse moved to sixthplace in the Jamaica Premier League after they registered a 1-0 victory over Vere United at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex yesterday.
Revaldo Mitchell scored the winner i n the 25th minute, his third goal in four games. Waterhouse are now on 26 points while Vere are in 10th with 19.
Vere United, through Odane Murray, came close to getting the game’s opening goal in the 15th minute as a Dunsting Cohen corner kick fell at his feet but could only watch as his shot was brilliantly saved by Waterhouse’s veteran custodian Kemar Foster.
As Waterhouse slowly grew into the evening’s assignment, they broke the deadlock as the 21-year-old Mitchell pounced upon a loose ball inside the penalty area and converted his chance as the Vere United defenders failed to clear their lines.
In the 27th minute, Waterhouse’s leading goalscorer Javane Bryan managed to outmuscle his marker Matt Ludford but failed to convert his chance as his right-footed effort went sailing above the net. Eight minutes later, Bryan was again in the thick of things as he found acres of space inside the box but failed to convert his chance.
In the 57th minute, Vere United were again denied a goal as Kemar Beckford’s goalbound header was saved by the impressive Foster. As Waterhouse went in search of a second goal, Vere United’s goalkeeper Roje Williams was called into action and he had to be at his best to deny Leonardo Jibbison in the 67th minute from a one-on-one play.
With the last kick of the game, Foster made another brilliant save from a long-range shot by Vere United’s substitute Lorenzo Lewin to ensure three points for Waterhouse.
Linval Dixon, head coach of Vere United, stated that he’s somewhat concerned that his team has now only scored a single goal in their last five matches. However, he was quick to point out that Waterhouse’s goalkeeper Foster was the difference maker on the night.
“We’ve been working really hard in training but it’s a cause for concern. However, we came up against a national goalkeeper and he was the difference on the day. Maybe with a little more composure we could have got a goal or two but I can’t complain for effort as it was good from the backline to the top of the field. But when we start to score things will happen for us,” Dixon said.
Damion Gordon, assistant coach of Waterhouse, stated that based on his observation his team had the opportunities to seal the victory from the first half.
“I thought the first half was really good and we should have ended the game from there but football is two halves. They were better than us in the second half but in terms of our defensive structure, I think we did pretty well on the night,” Gordon shared.