Kemar Beckford scored in time added to help advance Waterhouse FC into the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) semi-final with a 2-1 win over Harbour View FC in the return leg of the quarter-final game at Drewsland Mini Stadium on Thursday night. Waterhouse thus won the tie 3-1 on aggregate and will now face defending champions Arnett Gardens in the first semi-final at the same venue on Monday night.

Cornel Benbow had given Waterhouse an early second minute lead, but veteran Marcelino Blackburn pulled Harbour View level on 45 minutes.

Waterhouse had stunned Harbour View 1-0 away at the Harbour View Mini Stadium with a late 89th minute strike from Keithy Simpson to take an advantage going into the return leg.

The game was a cruel one for Harbour View as they were punished for not accepting the chances which fell to them in both halves. The major difference in the game was that Waterhouse, who also missed several chances, eventually scored. With only one goal scored this set in motion a very competitive second leg which neither team could have afforded to lose. But goals win matches and both teams were aware of the commitment that was entrusted upon them.

By virtue of scoring away at Harbour View all Waterhouse wanted was a draw while Harbour had the onerous task of having to win outright to advance. Waterhouse for the return leg had appealed for the support of the home crowd as the 12th man and one of the largest in four seasons turned up to cheer on their main source of outdoor entertainment in the area.

Both teams started briskly but it was Waterhouse kicking down the slope to the south of the ground who drew first blood as Benbow shocked the visitors with a second minute strike to signal intent.

Harbour View, under the urging from their coaches led by Ricardo “Bibby” Gardner, redoubled their efforts and drew level in the 45th minute through Blackburn, but that was as far as they were capable despite dominating the second without scoring from several worthwhile chances.

However, the only real chance they might have had to score a second goal took place less than five minutes from the end when a Waterhouse defender was deemed to transgress a Harbour View player in the penalty area and the appeal was turned down by referee Oshane Nation.

This did not go down well with Harbour View and they lost focus to create the chance for a Waterhouse second goal, scored in time added by Beckford.

Teams

Waterhouse FC — Diego Haughton, Shawn Lawes, Ricardo Thomas, Nicholy Finlayson, Mark Miller, Cardel Benbow, Keithy Simpson, Carlos Barrett, Tremaine Stewart, Andre McFarlane, Kemar Beckford.

Subs not used: Kadeem Davis, Denardo Thomas, Carlos Wright, Jeffrey Henry

Booked: Stewart (44th), Simpson (59th), Thomas (70th), Ottey (88th), Beckford (90th+5)

Harbour View FC — Christian Kluvi (Joel Johnson 31st), Nicholas Beckett, Christopher Harvey, Ajeanie Talbott (Tyreek MaGee 59th), Javain Brown, Kareem Manning, Evan Taylor, Peter-Lee Vassell, Andrew Allen, Marcelino Blackburn, Deshane Beckford (Daniel Green 86th)

Subs not used: Rafiek Thomas, Jaleel Chamberlain, Fabian Grant, Kemar Bennatt

Booked: Vassell (49th), Blackburn (70th)

Referee: Oshane Nation

Assistant Referees: Jermaine Yee-Sing, Oyinco McTaggart

Fourth Official: Odette Hamilton

Match Commissioner: Garfield McDonald