Waterhouse Football Club made home advantage count as they eked out a 1-0 win over Arnett Gardens in their first-leg Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) semi-final clash at Drewsland Mini-Stadium on Monday night.

Almost five months ago Donovan Duckie assumed coaching responsibilities at Waterhouse FC and promised to take the club to the top six position at the end of the season, at least.

They then stuttered around the area a bit before finally taking up permanent residence in the play-off zone.

Taking the bull by its horns at the quarter-final stages, Waterhouse turned back a plucky effort from the four-time champions Harbour View FC with a commanding 3-1 home and away aggregate win.

It was the first time since 2014 that Waterhouse have reached this far in the RSPL, having done so consecutively for the previous three years.

Tremaine Stewart scored the all-important goal of the match in minute 55 from a freekick just outside the area, to set up another challenge for a possible title shot.

It was another lucky break for the Drewsland-based team following indecision by the Arnett Gardens defence that left goalkeeper Damian Hyatt shackled.

Duckie’s team did create their own luck on Monday night once again by forcing the defending champions to work overtime for anything they expected to get out of the game. Work they did, but there was little to show for their effort and they will now have to wait for the returnleg to stake any serious claim remaining for sustenance.

Waterhouse’s 12th man also played a huge part to keep their team focused and interested in the game. This force of presence certainly got opposing Arnett Gardens Head Coach Jerome Waite’s attention.

“It was a remarkable display of concentrated football from both teams, but the 12th man did come into play to make the difference. What I can promise is that there will be a ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ for the return leg.”

Teams: Waterhouse FC — Shawn Lawes, Ricardo Thomas, Nicholy Finlayson, Kemar Beckford, Mark Miller, Carlos Barrett (Samar Rowe 88th), Keithy Simpson, Andre McFarlane (Gary McIntosh 72nd), Diego Haughton, Denardo Thomas (Allan Ottey 83rd), Tremaine Stewart

Subs not used: Kadeem Davis, Christian Herira, Carlos Wright, Jeffrey Henry

Booked: Finlayson (28th)

Arnett Gardens FC — Damian Hyatt, Oneil Thompson, Jabeur Johnson, Ranike Anderson, Ranae Lloyd, Tamar Edwards, Kenneil Hyde (Newton Sterling 71st), Marvin Morgan, Fabian Reid, Al Nesbeth (Jason Moore 54th), Damari Deacon (Steve Clarke 57th)

Subs not used: Sharmarley Clayton, Rickardo Oldham, Dasha Satchwell, Shamar Pryce

Booked: Edwards (84th), Moore (90th+2), Anderson (90th+2), Lloyd (90th+4)

Referee: Kevin Morrison

Assistant referees: Jassett Kerr, Princess Brown

Fourth official: Cardella Samuels

Match commissioner: Anthony Cooke