By Nodley Wright, Freelance WriterA 68TH minute strike by Jamaica Under-23 midfielder Demar Phillips was the difference between former champions Waterhouse and title hopefuls Village United on the opening day of the 2004-05 Wray and Nephew National Premier League yesterday.
Phillips was a picture of composure as he collected a ball from Weston Forrest, picked his spot and calmly finished.
The veteran Baris Johnson would have done well to observe Phillips as he missed an excellent opportunity to send his team ahead in the 22nd minute. Johnson was fed in the 18-yard box by Kirk Ramsay, but the usually composed player fired wide.
MISSED CHANCES
Johnson was not the only one to waste a clear cut chance in the first half. Village's Garvey Stephens was equally guilty.
Stephens chance, the first real one of the game, came in the 13th minute when Gregory Simpson floated a lovely cross. With just the goalkeeper Loxley Reid to beat, Stephens rushed his shot and it went wide.
The second half appeared to be heading to a similar goalless result as both teams appeared to be cancelling out each other. That was to change about 12 minutes into the half with the introduction of the youthful duo of Richard West and Shane Edwards.
They seemed to energise Waterhouse and it was no surprise that they played a part in Phillips' strike.
West and Edwards combined before involving Forrest who provided the final pass.
It was a difficult pill to swallow as moments earlier Ian McAnuff forced an excellent save from Reid, while a lovely Mark Williams cross could not be met by Fabian Dawkins.
ATTACK
The goal shocked Village into action, especially in the final 15 minutes as they frequented the Waterhouse defensive area without success.
Waterhouse coach Peter Cargill was pleased to win his first game in charge.
"A win is always good. We were playing away from home and we thought that if we could steal the three points it would be great," said Cargill, who added that his team deserved to win as they created more opportunities.
Village's Dr. Dean Weatherly felt that his team allowed Waterhouse to get the better of them.
"I think what we did was to lay back and allow Waterhouse to take the game to us. We should have cut off the passes early but we allowed them to settle down and come at us," Weatherly said.
His team he added had enough clear chances to win.
