A controversial referee-ing decision which disallowed what would have been a brilliant Jermaine Anderson winner for Waterhouse, resulted in a 0-0 draw against Humble Lion in their Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) encounter at Effortville yesterday.

Anderson challenged a defender for a high ball and volleyed home a cracking 35-metre shot that sailed over goalkeeper Philmore Crumbie, shaving the underside of the crossbar on its way in.

Referee Oneil Watson, who was just a few metres away from the play, signalled goal. Anderson ran off in the distance celebrating with his teammates and the bench for what could have been goal of the season, only to see assistant referee Damion Williams on the far side raising his flag.

Referee Watson sprinted across and consulted his assistant, then disallowed the goal, prompting all kind of fracas in the stands and confusion on the field of play. The game resumed approximately five minutes after with patrons still confused as to what the infringement was.

Waterhouse’s coach Donovan Duckie, who was just as was livid as his supporters, said referees need to be made accountable.

“We need to look back on the tape because what I saw with my naked eyes, there were no hands. The linesman was about 70 yards away making a call and the referee was about 14 yards away,” he complained to the Observer.

He continued: “The referee signals goal and he (assistant) signals hands (handled ball). It doesn’t speak well for the officials and the game. It leaves me to wonder, because the referees are here to keep everyone in check, but who keeps them in check?”

“The inconsistencies of the referees are frustrating. They are humans, but there are some ridiculous ones. But it is good to get a point and we should have won the game,” added Duckie.

Waterhouse with that point, remained in third spot on 16 points, two behind Portmore United and missed a glorious opportunity to leapfrogged them into the First End-of-Round final.

Meanwhile, home team Humble Lion stayed in eighth spot in a closely-knitted mid-table on 15 points, just four behind the leaders, but were fortunate to come away with a point in a tough encounter.

Coach Lenworth Hyde Snr was the happier of the two coaches and he, too, also said he saw no infringement in the buildup to the goal.

“I won’t say he handled the ball, but it was an excellent goal. But maybe because he handled two or three balls before and the linesman thought he saw another one,” said Hyde.

Humble Lion have now gone six games at home and are yet to register a win at Effortville, while scoring three away wins.

“It was a good game, but we still not winning at home so I am disappointed in that area. But we just have to turn that jinx around in the second round and score some goals,” he pointed out.

In 11 games to date, Humble Lion have scored just nine times, while conceding eight goal. Waterhouse are just a little better with 11 goals for and nine against in a league struggling of goals.