Waterhouse………………1

Finlayson (27th pen)

Humble Lion……………0

Waterhouse FC joined leaders Arnett Gardens FC as the first two teams to qualify for the semi-final round of the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) when they outmanoeuvred fourth-placed Humble Lion 1-0 at Drewsland on Sunday.

Central defender Nicholi Finlayson registered from the spot after forward Andre Leslie was bundled in the area. Despite the plucky effort from Waterhouse, it was outstanding goalkeeping from Richard McCallum throughout, punctuated by some excellent interceptions, that more than gave the second-placed team their victory and advancement.

With the CFU beckoning, and preparation in full swing, Waterhouse looked a cut above the opposition, but with their main strike force of Jermaine Benjamin (injured) and Jermaine ‘Tuffy’ Anderson on national duty with Beach Soccer in El Salvador, the forward line looked flat.

Humble Lion, who defeated Waterhouse when they last visited Drewsland, came more into the game when the teams switched ends, with Wolry Wolfe looking dangerous by foraging into threatening areas on the left. Humble Lion, though, lacked penetration with crosses and whatever got by the Waterhouse defence goalkeeper McCallum mapped up.

“This was a total team effort that saw us through to the semi-final stages of the Premier League today,” said assistant coach Marcel Gayle.

“With the CFU just around the corner, about a week and a half away, this was a good sign that our preparation is on stream.

“It was also good to see the team looking quite cohesive with a few rough edges here and there, but nothing we cannot set right with a little more time on our hands.

“This performance is a continuation of the good showing we displayed in our last match against champions and third-placed Montego Bay United,” Gayle added.

“It was a game we wanted to win, and we did not, but we can take a number of pluses from the game as we never quitted, and even by the loss we displayed courage and good temperament. All is not lost. We control our destiny going forward as there are games still remaining,” was the sentiment from the losers.

Teams: Waterhouse FC — Richard McCallum, Nicholi Finlayson, Oshane Roberts, Rohan Amos, Damarley Samuels, Evan Taylor, Romario Campbell, Tremaine Stewart, Steffan Logan, Adoah Nickle (Nathaniel Leslie 77th) Andre Leslie (Gary McIntosh 70th)

Subs not used: Omar Walcott, George Brown, DeAndre Brown, Andre Messam, Jamoly Powell

Booked: Stewart (36th), Taylor (37th), Amos (84th), Nathaniel Leslie (90th+2)

Humble Lion FC – Gariece McPherson, Ricardo Campbell, Gregory Lewis (Roberto Fletcher 56th), Hugh Howell, Andrew Vanzie, Wolry Wolfe (Horace Sharpe 83rd), Ricardo Cousins, Leavaughn Williams (Denzil Watson 64th), Francios Swaby, Devon Hodges, Ronaldo Christian

Subs not used: Damion Crooks, Ajuran Brown, Sean Coleman, Kevon Reid

Booked: Swaby (29th), Christian (45th)

Referee: Valdin Legister

Assistant Referees: Ricardo Morgan, Terrence McKenzie

Fourth Official: Oneil Watson

Match Commissioner: Martin Lyn