BASED on the results over the stretch of the regular season games between Waterhouse FC and Cavlier FC, there were many who thought that there could be only one winner when the two met in the semi-finals of the Red Stripe Premier League.

A 2-2 draw in the first round followed by back-to-back 1-0 wins for Cavalier made them overwhelming favourites in the eyes of many.

The speed and attacking prowess of the Cavalier front three of Alex Marshall, Nicholas Hamilton and Captain Chevone Marsh, were seen as too much for the aging legs of the Waterhouse team.

The expanse of the National Stadium was also seen as a big advantage to the younger Cavalier players and so lots of fans thought they would play Waterhouse off the park.

But as the old adage goes, cometh the hour, cometh the man, or in this case, cometh the men.

Despite all the talk of youth, it was experience that told in the end for Waterhouse FC as the three central midfielders whose combined ages add up to 90 years scored in either tie of the semi-finals.

Waterhouse won 2-0 in the first leg through goals from Captain Keithy Simpson and leading scorer Tremaine Stewart and 1-0 in the second leg through a lone strike from Keammar “Dada” Daley.

Daley, who scored in the second leg, said that the result proved that the outcome of the first leg was no “blooper”.

“It’s a blessing and we have to give thanks for this win. We have been working hard and we had to show our true class

“We came out here and performed, that’s what we did last week and we came back here and showed that it’s not a blooper.”

He pointed to the fact that is has been the teams that have a certain level of experience that has lifted the title over the years.

“This league, it takes maturity and experience. Previous teams that have won the league, it’s either maturity or experience and that made the difference for Waterhouse.”

The 31-year-old, who has already won the league with Tivoli Gardens FC is backing his current team to go all the way.

“The greatest thing is that we are in the finals and we have been working hard to be in the finals. Being a part of the top two playing in the competition we have confidence that we can win it. At this point, every team believes that they can win it so why not believe in ourselves.”

Meanwhile, team captain and the man who got things going with the first goal in the first leg, Keithy Simpson praised his midfield compatriots for the role they played in the team’s semi-final success.

“It’s a pleasure to play amongst the top guys. Everybody has been fighting, fighting together as a team, we are grateful for the performance, we stepped up for the team whenever it mattered most and as you can see, hard work pays off.”

He also pointed to the clean sheets that they were able to keep against the talented Cavalier team.

“We are elated, we have been working hard and as you can see we have been digging deep when teams have been coming hard at us, to keep clean sheets and as you know, defence win championships.”

While not getting carried away, he was happy to have made a critical contribution in the semi-finals.

“It’s always tremendous to give the team that nod in front when we needed it most.”

Like Daley, Simpson is backing Waterhouse to go all the way this term.

“We are very confident but humbled, we have to keep calm, keep fighting and hopeful…come out victorious.”

— Dwayne Richards