Vincent Earl struck twice as Waterhouse dominated 10-man Benfica 4-0 in Digicel Premier League action at Drewsland on Sunday.

Benfica failed to make a favourable impression on the game and their former Waterhouse and Rivoli United left winger Garfield Reid, playing in defence, compounded the situation by being red-carded in the 68th minute following his second caution of the match.

Even playing against 10, Waterhouse failed to increase their first half advantage and allowed the St Ann-based team to escape a drenching.

The win, however, enabled Waterhouse to keep pace with the front-runners in the DPL, being four points fourth adrift of leaders Tivoli Gardens on 44.

Midfielder Weston Forrest got things started early with a goal to give Waterhouse the advantage.

A marauding Jermaine “Tuffy” Anderson increased the lead two minutes later to make it 2-0.

Earl then struck twice before the half-time break to put the home side in complete control of proceedings. Earl was presented a glorious chance to ease into his first hattrick for the season in the 74th minute, but surprisingly missed from lose range.

It was hotly rumoured before the match that Benfica were in for a 5-0 whipping but that never materialised as selfish and wayward shooting from over zealous players destroyed any chance Waterhouse created to achieve the target and had to settle for a 4-0 swamping.

Teams: Waterhouse — Richard McCallum, Keniel Moodie, Roger Rodney (Dwight Lewis 46th), Rohan Amos, Hugh Howell, Kemar Rodney (Jermaine Fletcher 62nd), Kemar Thomas, Vincent Earl, Weston Forrest (Norman Bailey 71st), Jermaine Anderson, Kevin Lamey.

Subs not used: J Messam, A Thenstead, P Keyes, J Williams.

Booked: Lewis (63rd).

Benfica –Donnovan Hynes, Andrew Dixon, Garfield Reid, Devon Powell, Wolry Wolfe, Gregory Tape, Craig Gordon, Carlington Smith, Ian McAnuff (Damion James 82nd), Delano Rankine (Carlos Smith 24th), Andre Dyce (Ramasa Martin 38th).

Subs not used: T Irons, M Gray, D Thompson, S Brown.

Booked: Reid (43rd, 68th, ejected).

Referee: Kevin Thomas

Assistant Referees: Garnet Page, Lloyd Reader

Fourth Official: Karl Tyrell

Match Commissary: Martin Lyn