A goal in the dying moments of time added from dynamic midfielder Damion ‘Cappo’ Williams handed Waterhouse FC an exciting 3-2 finish over newcomers Highgate United in their opening National Premier League fixture at Drewsland on Sunday.

Earlier the game seemed headed for a 2-2 draw after the Braxton Hyre-coached Highgate twice recovered from a goal down to enrich hopes of sharing the points in their debut match.

However, the pint-sized Williams, who was returning to the Waterhouse line-up for the first time after a break from football for a season, had other ideas. Busy all afternoon he nipped in behind an otherwise well-organised Highgate defence to score the clincher.

The victory dashed the hopes of the visitors leaving Drewsland with a point and at the same time providing Donovan Duckie with an encouraging welcome to Waterhouse as coach for the new season

Duckie, while happy for the win, lamented the fitness levels of the players. “It is good that we won the game, but not happy where we are in terms of our fitness at this point… we need to improve on our condition,” he said.

Hyre, on the other hand, said he enjoyed the game, but rued his team conceding three goals in the opening game of the season. “I liked the game, but we gave up three goals… this is a luxury which we can ill afford, especially in a match at this level if we have to remain competitive,” he said.

Highgate, who looked more organised of the two in the early exchanges, fell behind in the 12th minute from a rabbit punch. New Waterhouse signing, the industrious forward Carlos Barrett, sneaked behind the visitor’s defensive network to beat Leighton Murray from close range to put his team ahead.

And with 10 minutes to go to the halftime break, the St Mary outfit drew level after Donovan Davis beat goalkeeper Kelso Cousins with a good one-time shot from 12 yards out.

Five minutes later, Jermaine ‘Tuffy’ Anderson put the home team ahead with a good header from a free-kick taken from on the right side.

Teams:

Waterhouse FC — Kelso Cousins, Rohan Amos, Jason Watson, Theo Brown, Andre Clennon, Damion Williams, Peter Keyes, Jermaine Anderson (Adrian King 80), Andrae Campbell, Hugh Howell, Carlos Barrett (Gary McIntosh 76).

Subs not used: R McCallum, P Peddie, V Thompson R Barnes, L Thomas

Booked: Keyes (47th), Anderson (63rd) Williams (90th+)

Highgate FC — Leighton Murray, Anthowe Dawkins, Kwesi Campbell, Davis Boswell, Gawayne Speed, Shamir Stewart, Barrington James (Romeo Parks 82nd), Severo Murphy (Jerome Wedderburn) 76th, Richard Orrett, Donovan Davis, Christopher Harris (Horace James 46th).

Subs not used: A Dyce, R Hamilton, D Neish, L Soares

Booked: James (39th), Speed (70th)

Referee: Kevin Morrison

Referee Assistants: Stacy Ann Greyson, Lloyd Reader

Fourth Official: Patrick McPherson

Match Commissary: Anthony Cooke

— Hurbun Williams