MAY PEN, Clarendon — Humble Lion FC Head Coach Alex Thomas remains resolute that his team will avoid relegation after securing a morale-boosting 2-1 home victory over Waterhouse FC in the Jamaica Premier League football match at Effortville Community Centre on Thursday.

Steven Barnett starred for the Clarendon-based club, netting both goals in the 18th and 75th minutes, while Javane Bryan scored for Waterhouse in the 40th.

The win ended Humble Lion’s five-game winless run since Thomas replaced Donovan Duckie at the helm. Despite the crucial victory, the team remains at the bottom of the table on 18 points, with only three wins this season.

An elated Thomas expressed gratitude to his players, coaching staff, and management team for their collective effort.

“I am very elated for this victory, and so hats off to my players, coaching staff, and management team. I have been doing a lot of work since I arrived here,” Thomas said.

“It is the first time this season that we are scoring two goals and that sends a message about the hard work we have been putting in on the training ground.”

Thomas remains unwavering in his belief that Humble Lion will survive the drop.

“I am always confident on the job, and that is what I am here to do, get this team out of the drop. I am very committed to doing that for Humble Lion,” he declared. “It’s just about keeping the players upbeat and confident. I think this victory will breathe some confidence into the team and change their mindset going forward.”

Reflecting on the importance of the win, Thomas acknowledged the patience and persistence involved.

“This is what we needed all along and what we have been searching for. This is my first win in five games since I got here, so I am very pleased about that,” he said. “This is God’s work, and He said this is the time we needed the victory, so I must thank Him for that.”

With renewed belief and much-needed momentum, Thomas and his Humble Lion squad will look to build on this result as they continue the fight for survival.

On the flip side, Waterhouse’s struggles continued as they extended their winless streak to five matches. They remain in sixth place on 34 points.

Waterhouse Head Coach Marcel Gayle expressed displeasure at the performance.

“I am very disappointed in the way we conceded the goals, and I mean, this is the Premier League and I don’t think the players are playing for their keep. But we still see positive signs from [certain] areas, but we were just let down from the backline [defence],” he said.

— Robert Bailey