MAY PEN, Clarendon — League leaders Waterhouse FC warmed up for their endof-first-round meeting with Tivoli Gardens by beating Humble Lion 2-1 in their Digicel Premier League fixture at the Effortville Community Centre yesterday.

Vincent Earl put the Baris Johnson-coached Waterhouse ahead from the penalty spot in the 12th minute before Jermaine Anderson doubled the lead with a header three minutes after the restart.

Roberto Fletcher then fired home a deflected right-footer on 72 minutes to set up a tense finish, but the visitors defended well to maintain their lead atop the standings (25 points), and in the process ended Humble Lion’s four-match unbeaten streak under coach Lenworth Hyde Snr.

Waterhouse assistant coach Xavier Gilbert said “getting the three points was more important to their overall goal than winning the end-of-firstround final”.

Humble Lion’s Hyde said: “It was a very disappointing result playing at home.”

The Drewsland-based Waterhouse came into the game looking to complete the first round double over Clarendon oppositions following a 2-0 opening day victory over Sporting Central Academy and consolidate their place atop the standings.

And they were on their way on 12 minutes after Omar Walters got his hands to Akeem Thenstead’s right-sided cross inside the area and Earl obliged from the spot with a shot that ricocheted off the right upright and hit Shawn Sawyers on the way into the net.

Waterhouse saw their stocks rise as Anderson — left unmarked in the box — rose high to head home a Weston Forrest free-kick.

Humble Lion were made to toil for the next 24 minutes and were eventually rewarded with a consolation in 18 minutes from time when the former Waterhouse striker Fletcher beat McCallum with a powerful grounder.