Ainsley Walters, Freelance Writer

President of the Jamaica Football Federation, Captain Horace Burrell (left), hands over the winning trophy to Portmore's players shortly after they clipped Harbour View 1-0 to capture the Under-21 mid-season final at Harbour View Mini Stadium yesterday. At second left is David Burton, business development manager of Wisynco, sponsors of the competition under the Coca-Cola brand. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

DEFENDER Hugh Howell last night flashed in a 68th-minute near-post header past Tivoli Gardens goalkeeper, Edsel Scott, to hand Waterhouse a 1-0 victory in the second-round final of the Cash Plus Premier League.

Tivoli ended the match at the Harbour View Mini Stadium with 10 men as midfielder Damion Gordon was ejected close to full time.

Joint leaders of the Premier League with Portmore United, Tivoli fell to their second end-of-round loss after going down by the exact score to Portmore in the first-round final.

It was also Tivoli's third loss in seven days as they were beaten 1-0 by St Georges in the premiership last Sunday before being trounced 4-0 by Arnett Gardens in Jackie Bell knockout quarter-final action last Thursday.

Few chances were created in the bonus final, which rewarded Waterhouse with $250,000 and Tivoli $150,000.

However, Waterhouse always looked more threatening in attack and got the best chances of the game before going ahead.

Tivoli's strikers, Roland Dean and Navion Boyd, were kept quiet by Waterhouse man-markers Michael Stone and Oneil Thomas in a 3-5-2 formation with Marco McDonald as sweeper.

Winning goal

Irvino English, playing out wide on the left side, just missed putting Waterhouse ahead in the 63rd minute when his scorching free kick shaved the crossbar.

It was another English free kick, which produced the winner, floating inside the box and headed on by Damion Williams to Howell inside the six-yard box.

Tivoli Gardens coach Desmond Francis said his team played well but appeared exhausted after playing three matches in seven days.

Waterhouse's Wayne Fairclough praised his players and fans, who travelled from Drewsland to Harbour View to cheer on the players.

Starting teams: Tivoli - Edsel Scott, Dwight Heron, Victor Thompson, Christopher Jackson, Denroy Gordon, Damion Gordon, Horace Howell, Roland Dean, Akeem Weir, Navion Boyd, Steve Green.

Waterhouse: Maurice Evans, Michael Stone, Marco McDonald, Oneil Thomas, Vincent Earle, Leon Strickland, Newton Sterling, Jonathan Williams, Damion Williams, Irvino English, Hugh Howell.