Waterhouse spank Sporting in DPL opener
CLARENDON PARK, Clarendon — Former two-time champions Waterhouse FC blanked Sporting Central Academy 2-0 to open their Digicel Premier League season with a win at Brancourt yesterday.
The diminutive Kemar Thomas put the Drewsland-based outfit ahead on 28 minutes, with Vincent Earl securing the three points two minutes before half-time.
The victory was of extreme importance for Waterhouse, who were without the experienced trio of Kevin Lamey, Damion Williams and Hue Howell.
For Sporting, it was a bitter pill to swallow, as they dominated the first 15 minutes of play and should have been 2-0 up, but Hughan Gray and company found Richard McCallum too good to beat in goal for Waterhouse.
After playing second fiddle for about the first 20 minutes, Waterhouse took the lead with their first real attack with Thomas — playing in an unfamiliar right full-back position — chest-controlling a pass to sneak the ball home as shot-stopper Andre Blake and three defenders watched.
The goal seemingly brought the best out of the visitors as they crawled out of their shell and hit Sporting on the counter through promising Under-21 upgrade Stephen Williams who found Earl with a nicely weighted left-sided cross in the box.
The bustling striker kept his composure to send his team into the break with a handsome 2-0 lead after beating Blake to his left with a speculative effort.