WHILE happy that the Wray and Nephew Jamaica Premier League semi-final tie is in the balance, there is concern from the Waterhouse FC camp after talisman Javane Bryan was stretchered off during 1-1 first-leg result versus defending champions Mount Pleasant Academy.

The 28-year-old proved a threat yet again and netted for the Drewsland-based club in the 46th minute to give them the lead.

However, Bryan had to be taken off after suffering a shoulder injury.

Head Coach Marcel Gayle said they are still waiting to see the full extent of the injury.

“We just wish him a speedy recovery. His shoulder, I’m not sure if it slipped out or was dislocated, but in further updates [we will] know,” he said.

Gayle had high praise for his striker who became the league’s leading goalscorer with his 17th of the season, overtaking Tivoli Garden FC’s Justin Dunn. The former Meadforest FC striker has been in fine form, scoring in six straight games, including in all three post-regular season matches so far.

“He’s hungry and he lives for these moments, as you can see. His first time in the Premier League [and yet] he’s like a veteran in the league for over some years. But, the sky’s the limit for this kid. [He] just [needs to] keep working hard and apply himself and good things will come for him,” Gayle said.

Despite conceding a 73rd-minute equaliser by Sue-Lae McCalla, Gayle believes his team’s defensive effort was one of the best he’s seen.

“It was a masterclass in defending. We were playing against probably the best team in the Caribbean and we knew we had to suffer in long periods, and we were willing to suffer, because in the end we’d get the result. We gave up territorial advantage because we know that, in certain areas, if we press too high it can hurt us so we stuck to the plan — and it paid dividends. Mount Pleasant turned over the ball more than enough. It’s the first time I saw that so, kudos to the guys. Tactically, they were disciplined and they played well,” he said.

Following the first leg Gayle is more confident that they can upset the reigning champs.

“We have played Mount Pleasant two times in the season and every game is different. We’d have tweaked some things and said some things. We knew [we] were going to suffer but we capitalised, we got some chances and, unfortunately, we couldn’t get the go-ahead one. That’s part of the game. We have to come again.”

The second leg is scheduled to take place at Sabina Park on Sunday, starting at 5:00 pm. The winner will advance to the final to play either last year’s runners-up Cavalier FC or Arnett Gardens FC.