Waterhouse let slip a golden opportunity to go one up in the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) semi-final clash against Arnett Gardens on Thursday at Drewsland by letting in a late equaliser.

The game that drew 3-3 saw visitors Arnett Gardens taking an early lead through the industrious Kirk Ramsay in the fourth minute. Waterhouse abandoned their now trademark patient build-up play for an all-out attacking one and struck right back almost immediately to level the score three minutes later through the dynamic utility player Hughan Gray from the penalty spot.

Big defender Oneil Thompson flattened Juvaune Benjamin just inside the area to the ire of his bench and Gray obliged.

Old habits die hard and the hosts went back to playing around with the ball in their half and 18 minutes later Ramsay struck again to put Arnett Gardens 2-1 ahead after beating Kelso Cousins with a low shot to his left.

There is no gainsaying the fact that since Anthony Patrick has taken on the awesome responsibility as coach of Waterhouse, the Drewsland-based outfit has grown in stature and character. As even when falling behind they continued to look the part as able contenders and dead on half-time talented midfielder Romario Campbell brought the teams level by squeezing a neat shot from a difficult angle on the end line past goalkeeper Damian Hyatt.

Hyatt, who had sustained an injury in the first half while diving at the feet of an opposing player declared the injury was preventing him from being totally effective between the uprights and four minutes into the second half he was replaced in goal by Peter Harrison.

But no sooner Harrison had taken up his position between the uprights Campbell struck for his second. It was a crisp angled shot fired inside the minute of Harrison’s arrival.

Arnett Gardens, who were prepared not to lie down and die in such an important fixture, buckled down to some hard and industrious work and found the much-welcomed equaliser 17 minutes from time.

And, probably with better luck could have left for the return leg at the Anthony Spaulding Sport Complex on Monday night with a goal advantage.

Teams: Waterhouse – Kelso Cousins, Nicholi Finlayson, Omar Walcott, Hughan Gray, Romario Campbell, Ramone Howell, Juvaune Benjamin (Oshane Roberts 89th), Damarley Samuels, Kenroy Howell, Vincent Earle (Marvin Morgan 75th), Kimorley Brissett

Subs not used: R Patterson (GK), R Amos, W Forrest, K Brown

Booked: R Howell (31st), Earle (39th)

Arnett Gardens – Damian Hyatt (Peter Harrison 49th), Jabeur Johnson, Shaquille Dyer, Renae Lloyd, Kirk Ramsay (Kevin ‘Pele’ Wilson 78th), Marcellino Blackburn (Kemal Malcolm 75th), Oneil Thompson, Fabian Reid, Jason Moore, Leon Strickland, Jaron Richards

Subs not used: J Jackson, V Harris, A Clennon, N Sterling,

Booked: Moore (37th), Thompson (45th)

Referee: Cardella Samuels

Assistant Referees: Stacy-Ann Greyson, Princess Brown

Fourth Official: Odette Hamilton

Match Commissary: Garfield McDonald