The University of the West Indies FC and Waterhouse FC had to settle for a point each, as they began their campaign in the 2017-2018 Red Stripe Premier League by playing out a 1-1 draw against each other at the UWI Bowl on Sunday.

Substitutes Dasha Satchwell of Waterhouse and Davion Garrison of the UWI, who both entered the game in the 56th minute, scored within five minutes of each other in a game that was clearly an early season contest.

It was a lively start to the game by both teams, but neither of them was able to get behind the opposing defence. Waterhouse were forced into an early change when central defender Jeffrey Henry had to be replaced by Rickardo Harriott in the 26th minute because of chest pains. A minute later, Amal Knight was called upon to make his first save when Samar Rowe tried his luck from distance, but it was an easy save for the UWI goalkeeper.

His opposite number, Diego Haughton, saw his first taste of action 10 minutes later when Andrea Bernal created a yard of space for himself on the edge of the area but failed to generate any power on the strike to test the Waterhouse custodian.

The first half was littered with numerous misplaced passes, especially in midfield, which limited the goalmouth action.

UWI were presented with the perfect chance to take the lead on the stroke of half-time when Nicholy Finlayson brought down Ryan Miller in the box. Rochane Smith, who is the regular penalty taker for the UWI, took responsibility from 12 yards, but Haughton guessed the correct way, diving to his right to save. Harriott then produced an acrobatic header to clear the follow-up shot from Bernal off the line as the teams went in 0-0 at the break.

The opening moments of the second half provided very little action, but on minute 60 Waterhouse substitute Satchwell scored from a thunderous free kick from 35 yards, beating Knight all ends up. It was the first touch from the Waterhouse debutant, who was a member of the Arnett Gardens team that lifted the trophy in May.

It was another substitute, Garrison, who restored parity for UWI, rolling the ball into an empty goal after Haughton had failed to collect what appeared to be a route cross.

Both coaches rang the changes in an effort to claim all their points but neither team was able to create any real openings.

In the end it was a fair result on the balance of play as both teams began the season by avoiding defeat.

Teams: UWI — Amal Knight, Rochane Smith (Patrick Brown 75th), Taniel Mckenzie, Deno Schaffe, Ryan Miller, Oshane Jenkins, Jerondy Henry, Anthony Greenland, Andrae Bernal (Davion Garrison 56th, Stephen Barnett 90th+3), Deighton Stuart, Fabion McCarthy.

Subs not used: Jabari Wallace, Kemoy Atkinson, Kemar Flemmings, Taffarell Crosdale.

Waterhouse: Deigo Haughton, Nicholy Finlayson, Jeffrey Henry (Rickardo Harriott 26th), Keno Simpson, Ricardo Thomas, Samar Rowe, Denardo Thomas, Shawn McKoy, Tremaine Stewart (Andre Leslie 79th), Andre Dawson, Dean-Andre Thomas (Dasha Satchwell 56th).

Subs not used: Akeem Chambers, Shamari Dyer, DeAndre Brown, Dale Reid, Dwayne Silerva.

Referee: Cordela Samuels

Assistant referee 1: Princess Brown

Assistant referee 2: Kemar Bailey

Fourth official: Victor Doyen-Tummings

Match commissary: Uken Campbell