CATHERINE HALL, St James — Montego Bay United players came through a test set for them by Head Coach Rodolfo Zapata with flying colours after they overwhelmed Waterhouse 3-1 in the Jamaica Premier League second-round game at Montego Bay Sports Complex on Wednesday.

Brazilian midfielder Jean Claudio Ferreira, who returned after leaving for Mount Pleasant FA this season, made a big impact in his first start. He orchestrated what was arguably Montego Bay’s best performance of the season, setting up the first goal when he won a penalty and then scoring the second.

Shaniel Thomas became the third player to score in double digits, getting to 10 goals when he opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 32nd minute, Ferreira made it 2-0 in the 45th minute before Yohann Weatherly scored the goal of the game with a rasping left-footer in the 72nd minute.

Second-placed Montego Bay improved to 44 points, five behind leaders Mount Pleasant and five more than third-placed Arnett Gardens.

This was Montego Bay United’s 13th win from 21 outings, one victory more than they managed all of last season when they played 26 games. Their current points tally is already one more than they accumulated all of last term.

Zapata said he had approached the game “like a play-off”, given Waterhouse’s standing in the league. Waterhouse are sixth with 33 points.

“Waterhouse is in sixth place and they are in a play-off spot, so that was our approach and it worked. We played well with the ball and without the ball, we were aggressive and tactical.”

With an eye towards Sunday’s game against Dunbeholden FC, Zapata made four changes to the team that ended 0-0 against Portmore United, adding he also wanted to see what some of the other players have to offer.

“I think they did well, they showed me we are heading in the right direction and they entertained the crowd tonight and showed they can represent this club,” the Argentine said.

Waterhouse FC were conceding three goals in a loss in back-to-back games and Head Coach Marcel Gayle said he had no excuses.

“We are on the road but we have to play better. We played better in the second half and got a goal, we were very hesitant in the first half,” he said.

“[It was] a loss of concentration but we have to regroup and start preparing for the game on Sunday,” added Gayle.

Both teams took their time to get going in what was mostly a pedestrian first half. The home side shifted gears and took over the game, forcing Waterhouse FC back into their own half for long periods.

Ferreira’s fierce shot from just outside the Waterhouse area in the 32nd minute was handled by a defender and Thomas fired home from the penalty spot just out of reach of goalkeeper John Wilson to join his teammate Brian Brown on 10 goals. Both are one behind Cavalier’s Jalmaro Calvin, the league’s leading scorer.

The Brazilian was well placed to head home a cross from just inside the 18-yard box as Montego Bay United doubled the advantage.

Yohan Weatherly, who had a rare start, justified the faith of his coach when he capped a good display by rifling home a left-footer past Wilson in the 72nd minute to make the score 3-0.

Mario Simms, who was a second-half substitute, pulled a goal back for Waterhouse when he beat goalkeeper Aaron Enill in the 78th minute.

— Paul A Reid