Waterford's veteran player, Desmond Davy (left), is hounded by McCook's Pen's Odane Newman during a St Catherine Division One Football match at the Waterford High School playing field on Tuesday. The game ended 1-1. - Anthony Minott/Freelance Photographer

McCook's Pen survived a first-half penalty to hold Waterford 1-1 in a St Catherine Division One Football League match, at the Waterford High School playing field on Tuesday.

Both teams are now on seven points from three games.

Waterford's coach, Gary Scott, blamed missed chances for not getting full points.

"We had three easy chances in the game and we gave it away. I have to give the second half to McCook's Pen, but we still had chances to win the match," he said.

Struggled for possession

The players struggled to keep possession in the first half, as the Christmas break told on their lack of readiness for the match.

Waterford were first to score as they received a penalty, following a late challenge by McCook's Pen's goalie, Mark Reid, on Waterford forward Michael Jones on the stroke of half-time. Referee Basil Salmon pointed to the spot and Gavin Campbell netted the penalty kick.

McCook's Pen dominated the second half but failed to score after receiving easy chances.

Headed wide

However, Waterford, against the run of play, could have gone 2-0 up 10 minutes after the resumption when Diego Wilson pulled the 'keeper out of his goal and crossed to the back post, but Jahvon Roberts surprisingly headed wide of the mark about two yards from the goal.

McCook's Pen made them pay for that miss as five minutes later, substitute Dean Bradshaw equalised from a Corey Sewell corner kick.

McCook's Pen got chances to collect all three points but wasted their opportunities. Dowen Brown was guilty on at least two occasions. One was very glaring as with only the goalie to beat, Brown lobbed his effort on the crossbar, much to the amazement of his fans and teammates.

McCook's Pen's coach, Aaron Lawrence, was happy with the point.

"I'm happy with a point. Any time you play away from home, you need at least a draw," he said, adding that the Christmas break affected his team's match fitness.

Adjustments made

However, he said adjustments to his defence line and midfield brought his team more ball possession and attacking options.

"In the second half I made some changes. I pulled a defender and put him in midfield to get more tackling in the middle of the pitch and we then controlled the midfield and the game," he said.

In other games, Passagefort drew 0-0 with Treadways, while Thunderbolts edged National Irrigation 1-0.

Lawrence