An upbeat Waterhouse FC team will come face to face with Cavalier FC today in the semi-finals of the Red Stripe Premier League, with the knowledge that they have not been able to overcome the Rudolph Spedi-coached team this term.

An exciting 2-2 draw in the first round of the league, where Waterhouse had to come from 0-2 down to get a point was followed by back-to-back 1-0 wins by Cavalier in the other two rounds which will no doubt give that youthful team the belief that they can overcome their opponents and advance to the final.

But they should not be expecting anything easy according to Waterhouse centre half Shawn Lawes.

The benefit of finishing second in the league was a period to rest and recuperate for Waterhouse, while Cavalier were caught up with a quarter-final tie against Arnett Gardens. Lawes says that the rest has been just what the doctor ordered.

“I think coach Marcel Gayle did a good job in terms of keeping us grounded and staying focused and stuff like that. In terms of the work that we having been putting in, like getting a couple of practice games, I think we are ready and up for Monday night’s game,” he said.

The big defender is acutely aware that they have dropped seven points against their opponents in the regular season but believes that their play-off experience will prove critical in the two-leg tie.

“We are not so worried about the mindset of the players, three rounds of football, that’s different from the semi-finals. We have been here last year, this is our second year, back-to-back in the semi-finals. This is more new to Cavalier, so I think we have a good mindset going into the semi-final against Cavalier,” he reasoned.

The Waterhouse transition game from midfield has been the driving force at the club this season and according to the man called “One Lawes”, his team has the best practitioners in that area at the moment. He expects those players to guide the team past their opponents and back into the final again this year.

“We have the best midfielders in the league. I think Tremaine Stewart is the best attacking midfielder this season, Keammar Daley, Keithy Simpson, I think we have a good crop of midfield players. We are not so worried about Cavalier attacking players, with greater concentration and focus, we will get the better of them,” he assured.

Much has been said about the Cavalier attacking trio of Alex Marshall, Chevone Marsh and Nicholas Hamilton, but Lawes is confident in his own ability and that of the other defenders around him to nullify the famed “MHM” at this key stage of the season.

“They are good players but we also are good defenders. You have Nicholy (Findlayson), you also have me as two veteran defenders in the league, so we are not so worried about the Cavalier attack,” he suggested.

Having lost in the RSPL showcase game on penalties last season, Waterhouse have set a minimum target of returning to that stage this season.

“As we started the season we set out to do one better than last year, which is to win the ultimate prize. I think we are three games away from that and we are just remaining focused and staying positive.”

Waterhouse will begin the quest for a return to the big dance starting at 8:30 pm against an extremely confident and fearless Cavalier FC. It promises to be an exciting, fast-paced affair.

—Dwayne Richards