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Bygrave nets another winning goal for Waterhouse
October 07, 2024
For the second time this season, striker Atapharoy Bygrave netted the lone goal as Waterhouse ran out 1-0 winners against cross-town rivals Tivoli Gardens in their Jamaica Premier League (JPL) football match at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex last night.
The big striker outjumped the entire Tivoli defence to glance home from a corner 39 minutes into the first half.
Despite spending a season and a half as a fringe player at Mount Pleasant before making the move to Drewsland this season, Waterhouse coach Marcel Gayle said the 2021 JPL top scorer remains one of the best in the country, and that as long as the team can provide him with good service, he will provide them with goals.
"It's good (that he is coming into his own. He is a quality forward, one of the best forwards in the island. If we get supply to him he can do wonders," Gayle said.
"We had other players in the team who were outstanding. Atapharoy distinguished himself, his finish was fantastic."
Tivoli looked the brighter team at the start of the contest, as they were better in possession and were constantly threatening the Waterhouse danger area.
However, Waterhouse themselves were always dangerous on the break and six minutes before halftime Bygrave rose above the Tivoli defence to redirect Denardo Thomas' corner past Diego Haughton in goal to break the deadlock.
The game was evenly poised for most of the second half, with both teams chomping at the bit in an attempt to get the game's second goal.
Tivoli came closest with Anthony Nelson missing a host of chances late on.
First he headed two great chances over in the 78th and 81st minutes, then in the 90th minute he sliced his effort wide of the target, with a clear opening to goal.
Tahjae McBean had one last chances to salvage a point for Tivoli, deep into stoppage time. But after stealing possession, his shot from the edge of the area was easily handled by John Wilson in goal.
"In the last (portion of the game) we had fatigue more than anything else," Gayle noted. "Nevertheless, we kept a clean sheet and the errors (we made) we can fix going forward."
Tivoli Gardens FC coach Jerome Waite said the quality of his team's play was far below what was needed.
"Today's (Sunday) game wasn't anything to talk about. The overall standard of play, it was below par. This is the top flight football in the country and the amount of errors that you are seeing, it doesn't look good, but we will continue to work to get these players where they need to be at," he said.
Waterhouse climbed to fifth in the standings with six points, while Tivoli are second from bottom with a single point.
