DRAX HALL, St Ann — Highgate United held former champions Waterhouse FC to a 0-0 tie in their Red Stripe Premier League opener at Drax Hall on Sunday.

Both teams started tentatively before Highgate, through Dwayne Holmes, Carlos Barrett, Jerome Wedderburn, Gawayne Speed, Severo Murphy, settled into a rhythm.

The hosts came close to scoring when they caught the Waterhouse defence napping and Holmes’ shot beat goalkeeper Richard McCallum, hitting the left upright.

The Highgate supporters thought their team had scored, but the rebound fell to McCallum who immediately initiated a counter-attack through Jermaine Anderson and Peter Keys. However, an alert Maurice Evans got off his line in the nick of time.

Just before the half ended, Waterhouse’s Troy Reid weaved his way into the penalty box, but unleashed a tame effort.

Waterhouse took the offensive on the resumption through Troy Reid and Keys, but key striker Jermaine Anderson was closely marked by Andre Dyce.

Though present at the game, Waterhouse coach Donovan Duckie was not on the bench as he faces the competition’s Disciplinary Committee.

Assistant Junior Francis was happy for the draw.

“I must congratulate my team for coming out with a point as the ground was not that conducive to our type of play… it was a bit bumpy and rough and we did not get that vital goal,” he said.

Calvin Lewis was happy with the point earned by Highgate.

“The entire team worked real hard. It was very challenging as we try to build a unit. It was a good showing for us as we did not play any practice games,” he said.

Teams:

Highgate — Maurice Evans, Anthowe Dawkins, Andre Dyce, Gawayne Speed, Dwayne Holmes, Andre Thomas (Reon Nelson 80th), Jerry Walters, Severo Murphy, Jerome Wedderburn (Donovan Davis 69th), Roberto Fletcher (Shamir Stewart 80th), Carlos Barrett

Subs not used: D Henry, D Boswell, J Hutchinson, D Neish

Booked: Dwayne Holmes (8th)

Waterhouse — Richard McCallum, Victor Thompson, Rohan Amos, Hugh Howell, Nicholy Finlayson, Damarley Samuels (Hughan Gray 70th), Jermaine Anderson, Peter Keys (Juvaune Benjamin 53rd), Romaine Barnes, Jahmeel Thompson, Troy Reid (Jason Watson 87th)

Subs not used: G Gayle, M Ricketts, D Oliver

Booked: Jermaine Anderson (54th), Troy Reid (75th)

Referee: Valdin Legister

Assistants: Richard Washington, Lloyd Edwards

Fourth Official: Hugh Rankine

Match Commissary: Neil Campbell