LeVaughn Flynn, Staff Reporter
Waterhouse proved to be the only team that has Portmore United's ticket in the Cash Plus Premier League so far, as they beat the league leaders for the second time this season, clipping them 1-0 at Ferdie Neita Park yesterday.
Portmore have only lost twice, both times 0-1 to Waterhouse, and a 53rd-minute goal by Jonathan Williams ensured they bagged three points yesterday.
Portmore still remain on top though with 27 points, six ahead of Tivoli Gardens. Waterhouse jumped to third spot on 20 points.
Waterhouse gained the upper hand after Williams sneaked to the far post and was in the right position at the right time for a Marco McDonald header from a corner kick. Goalkeeper Dwayne Kerr had no chance as Williams was practically on the goal line and converted easily.
Portmore's second loss came as they battled Waterhouse with 10 men after defender Adrian Reid was given marching orders in the 36th minute after he slapped (boxed) Garfield Reid in the face.
With the numerical advantage going into the second half, Waterhouse coach Wayne Fairclough replaced a limping Brian Wollaston with the ever-dangerous Kevin Lamey to test Portmore's backline, and that he did.
After Williams' goal, Lamey, being man-marked by Anthony Modeste, was picked out each time by his teammates. A brilliant run by Lamey, which saw him leaving three defenders in his dust followed by a give-and-go with Williams, almost bore fruit but his weak attempt went wide of goal.
Fairclough noted: "We put more players in the midfield because we know Portmore have a very strong midfield, so we know what we had to do stave off a defeat."
Rudolph Austin, who returned to the island on Friday night after a one-month spell with English side Stoke City, also helped to shore up Portmore's midfield, but their finishing most times did not equate to the build up.
"After the red card it kind of set us back and we were a little flat today," said Portmore coach Linval Dixon.
Of the two defeats to Waterhouse, Dixon added: "They are always motivated to play us."
