WATERHOUSE FC kept up their pursuit of Red Stripe Premier League leaders Portmore United when they carved out a hard-fought 1-0 win over Reno FC in Monday Night football at the Drewsland Mini-Stadium.

Veteran striker Rafiek Thomas came off the bench to earn his team all three points and close the gap at the top to just five points when he got the all-important goal in the 75th minute of play.

Reno had done a good job of limiting the hosts to only a few chances in the first half by keeping 10 players behind the ball and frustrating the Waterhouse frontline. They seemed to be on the way to earning at least a point for their troubles before Marcel Gayle went to his bench to produce what proved to be an inspired substitution.

Thomas fired home the match-winning goal from close range to the delight of a full house as they kept alive their slim hopes of winning the regular season.

The game started with Andre McFarlane getting a couple of early chances, which he failed to convert. This was followed by a brilliant bit of skill by Tremaine Stewart that saw the playmaker create space for himself inside the box. His goal-bound shot was hastily cleared by a defender as the hosts threatened early.

Javier Brown almost scored against the run of play with a beautiful curling effort from distance but Akeem Chambers in the Waterhouse goal was equal to the task and effected a good save.

Denardo Thomas fizzed an acrobatic effort wide of the target from a Mark Miller cross before another long-range Reno effort, this time from Shamar Bernard, had Chambers tipping the ball over the crossbar.

The visitors finished the half strongly as Romone Plumber, who was a willing runner all night, turned his marker nicely before firing yet another Reno long-range bomb that had Chambers scrambling to his left to tip over the crossbar.

Reno approached the second half with a lot more positive play as they went in search of three points as demanded by their precarious position at the bottom of the standings. Despite their best efforts however, they were unable to breach the rock-solid defence led by Shawn Lawes and Nicholy Finlayson.

The lively Andre Fletcher threatened to break the deadlock with a brilliant chest control and a shot that went just wide of the upright.

Another good cross from Miller picked out the run of Ricardo Thomas, who got in front of his marker but headed over the crossbar.

With the set of players on the park not getting the job done, Gayle went to his bench and was made to look like a genius by the veteran Thomas.

The former Boys’ Town player pounced on a rebound after Reno custodian Ackeem Brown could only palm a shot from Andre McFarlane back into play. Thomas swept the ball home from three yards.

Teams: Waterhouse FC — Akeem Chambers, Keithy Simpson, Mark Miller, Tremaine Stewart, Shawn Lawes, Denardo Thomas, Ricardo Thomas, Andre Leslie (Kenroy Howell 57th), Andre Fletcher (Rafiek Thomas 58th), Nicholy Finlayson, Andre McFarlane (Damion Binns 85th)

Subs not used: Diego Haughton, Oshane Roberts, Carlos Wright, Denilson Simpson

Booked: Ricardo Thomas (57th)

Reno FC — Rondell Morris, Kemo Wilson, Brad Williams (Donovan Brown 86th), Shamar Bernard, Tashaine Campbell, Javier Brown, Shamar Palmer, Romone Plumber (Alwayne Danvers 59th), Renorio Downswell, Ackeem Brown, Jashane Foster (Shane Bygrave 75th)

Subs not used: Kirk-Patrick Lawrence, Dwyane Foster, Romero Graham, Olaoluwade Ladapo

Booked: Williams (13th), Morris (15th)

Referee: Orieto Nicholson

Assistant referees: Jermaine Yee-Sing, Rolanzo Bennett

Fourth official: Neressa Goldson

Match commissioner: Delroy Joseph