I really want this one, says Waterhouse skipper
If the words of captain Damarley Samuels are anything to go by, Waterhouse FC are primed for their first national title since the 2005-06 season.
Waterhouse, riding on a 20-game unbeaten run, oppose Montego Bay United in tonight’s widely-anticipated Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) championship match at the National Stadium, starting approximately 8:30.
Samuels, a young captain at 24 years old, and a man looking to lift the title for the first time, speaks like a bullet homing in unerringly at a target. At the moment, there is nothing he desires more than to win and experience that pride and joy of being the RSPL champions.
“It would be a big achievement and captaining Waterhouse at this age is big as well. I really want this one,” he told the Jamaica Observer.
The mindset appears to be the same for the rest of the team. And it’s hardly surprising, given that of the current set-up, only goalkeeper Richard McCallum, midfielder Vincent Earle and utility player Weston Forrest were part of the squad which last lifted the crown for Waterhouse.
“The team is doing fine and we have some good youngsters, who are willing to work for the coach. They are willing to show their talent when they get their chance.
“The mindset in the camp is alright. Everything is going on fine and now it is up to the players to achieve.
“I just hope we can keep focused, because we have trained very hard as a unit and played some good football. With that we can come out on top Monday night,” Samuels said.
The attacking midfielder was at his inspirational best as he opened the scoring to put Waterhouse in front within five minutes in the second-leg semi-final 2-1 win over Arnett Gardens, which gave them a 5-4 edge in the tie.
But Samuels, who joined Waterhouse from Sporting Central Academy in 2012, is aware that the full gamut needs to be in place for success against Montego Bay United today.
“We are all working for each other, and the whole Waterhouse community is working with us. We need that,” he passionately related.
After not winning the rural area daCosta Cup or Ben Francis Cup Knockout during his time at Clarendon College, this final could be the redemption for the slim-framed player with the hopes of a community resting on his shoulders and those of the rest of the team.
