MAY PEN, Clarendon — “Every mickle mek a muckle” is a Jamaican truism that, but in the result oriented world of football coaches like to say it is the muckle — the end product — that is most important.

At the moment, that seems to be the philosophy which occupies the head space of the Humble Lion coach Linval ‘Pala’ Wilson.

After three games, the central Clarendon-based Humble Lion are still searching for their first win of the Red Stripe Premier League season. Their latest setback, a 0-1 defeat to Waterhouse at Effortville on Monday night, means they are stationed at the base of the table, along with Boys’ Town, on a solitary point earned against Tivoli Gardens on opening day.

Yet, despite admitting that their poor start to the competition is of some concern, Wilson appeared to be looking on the bigger picture when he gave his post-game interview.

“I’m disappointed, yes, but I’m (also) very proud of my team,” said Wilson. “Coming off a 3-2 loss against Reno, we showed some character against Waterhouse, who is the team of the moment, and it was just a lapse in concentration that cost us the game.”

That lapse took place in the 57th minute when goalkeeper Garth Herron, who gave an otherwise creditable display, flapped at an inswinging corner, which allowed Waterhouse defender Rohan Amos to tee up his captain, Damarley Samuels, for a simple tap in at the back post.

“Yes,” continued Wilson, “(we are) concerned in a sense because we have now lost two in a row, but there are a number of positives that we can take from this performance. We just have to go back to the training pitch…”

Perhaps the positives which Wilson cited involved the wonderful job Hugh Howell, playing at centre back instead of his usual midfield role, did in keeping Waterhouse danger man Jermaine ‘Tuffy’ Anderson in check. Or maybe it was the free kicks — either side of half-time from Andrew Vanzie and Wolry Wolfe — which forced Richard McCallum to effect two decent saves.

Otherwise, Humble Lion offered very little goal threat on the night.

In fact, it was one of the dullest Monday night fixtures — void of the usual end-to-end spectacle — and it would not be misleading to say that it was the visiting Waterhouse team who showed more enterprise on the offensive front.

Even after going down to 10 men, following the 71st-minute ejection of Oshane Roberts for a seemingly rash tackle on fellow substitute Narado Brown, the title favourites stayed true to their principle by replacing the laboured Anderson with Deandre Brown in the dying moments.

“We are an offensive-minded team, so we thought it was important to keep pushing Humble Lion back,” explained Waterhouse coach Anthony Patrick.

But even while he was thankful for the three points, which put Waterhouse one place and one point behind early leaders Arnett Gardens, Patrick appeared only partially satisfied with his team’s performance.

“We should have put away the game from the first half because we created a number of chances (early on).”

Yet being the only team with a 100 per cent win record, Waterhouse can look forward to a place at the top of the standings should they beat newcomers Barbican, with whom they have a game in hand tomorrow at the UWI, Mona Bowl.

“It is a good start,” admitted Patrick, “so we just have to continue to put in the hard work and hope for the best.”