Rivoli United………………………….2

Burke (44th), Gardener (45th)

Waterhouse FC……………………….3

Anderson (21st, 88th), Benjamin (78th)

WATERHOUSE FC remain unbeaten in the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) after an action-packed 3-2 win over hosts Rivoli United at the Spanish Town Prison Oval on Sunday.

National striker Jermaine Anderson hit a brace for Waterhouse in the 21st and 88th minutes, while diminutive attacker Juvaune Benjamin added another in the 78th.

Two goals within a minute from Cory Burke (44th) and Valentine Gardener (45th) had given Rivoli United the lead just before the half-time break.

Rivoli went down to 10 players when Jermey Nelson was sent off in the dying embers of the encounter.

With the victory, Waterhouse moved to 16 points, while Rivoli stayed on eight points. On a coarse and bumpy football surface at the Prison Oval, the visitors started brightly against Rivoli. Waterhouse’s promising midfielder Cardel Benbow fired a low shot on the half-volley within the first 10 minutes, however the ball was pushed for a corner by Rivoli goalkeeper Marlon Henry.

Approximately 15 minutes in, Rivoli’s Gardener headed a cross high and wide. The hosts were soon made to pay when a defensive blunder put Jermaine Anderson through on goal and he banged into the net. Rivoli fought hard for the equaliser, but were let down by inaccurate finishing.

Ross Burton beat Waterhouse’s ‘keeper Richard McCallum with a header, but the ball looped wide of goal. Minutes later Burton’s shot was parried by McCallum into the path of Gardener, but he blasted high.

Soon after an error from McCallum brought Rivoli a lifeline. The dangerous Burke nodded home a bouncing ball after the Waterhouse goalkeeper mishandled a routine take.

Just a minute later, Gardener made amends for his earlier wastefulness when he dribbled in from the right and cracked a 20-yard left-footer past the diving McCallum. The goal sent Rivoli into the break with the momentum behind them.

Minutes into the second half, Burton controlled a ball on his chest and unleashed a volley that clipped the right upright of McCallum’s goal.

At the other end Waterhouse remained a threat and Benbow went close when Henry had to parry his shot wide.

Benjamin then equalised in the 78th minute when he craftily shifted away from a defender to neatly tuck home from close range.

Anderson followed with his second of the afternoon 10 minutes later when he bundled home a cross. Nelson, originally cautioned in the 88th minute, was handed a straight red in the third minute of stoppage time for striking an opponent in the face.

Teams: Rivoli United — Marlon Henry, Jermaine Henry, Troy Moulton, Fabian Gordon, Keith Wright, Jermey Nelson, Kemar Beckford, Ross Burton (Zavian Williams 81st), Valentine Gardener (Kevin Graham 80th), Cory Burke, Daniel Roberts (Jermaine Whyte 68th)

Subs not used: Shannon Bartley, Maurice Bennett, Patrick Shecklude, Anthony Greenland

Booked: Whyte (75th), Henry (66th), Nelson (88th, ejected — 90+3)

Waterhouse — Richard McCallum, Nicholy Finlayson, Jermaine Anderson (Adoah Nickle 89th), Hughan Gray, Damarley Samuels, Juvaune Benjamin, Damion Binns (Neiko Williams 80th), Rohan Amos, Evan Taylor, Cardel Benbow, Kenroy Howell (Romario Campbell 60th)

Subs not used: Kelso Cousins, Oshane Roberts, Vinroy Hayles, Upston Edwards

Booked: None

Referee: Dwight Royal

Assistant Referees: Omar Mills, Antonette Williams

Fourth Official: Leon Brown

Match Commissary: Anthony Gibbs