Chapelton Maroons hold Waterhouse

A second-half strike from Dustin Cohen rescued a point for Chapelton Maroons as they held Waterhouse to a 1-1 draw yesterday at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex in the Wray and Nephew-sponsored Jamaica Premier League (JPL) action.

Waterhouse took the lead through a penalty from Andre Fletcher in the 52nd minute, before Cohen pulled Chapelton level with a strike in the 63rd minute of play.

Vassell Reynolds, head coach of Chapelton, left the game the happier of the coaches as he felt the result was a fair reflection of the contest.

"One point at this stage of the game is better than none," Reynolds said in his post-match interview.

"I thought it was a well-deserved point. I thought based on the flow of the game, it was a fair result and we continue to see some improvement in areas that we're working on. We did some work this week and we saw some of the things and we're fairly satisfied."

In a game where both teams had their fair share of opportunities, Waterhouse started better as they settled into the game within the opening minutes.

Their first opportunity at goal came in the 11th minute as Martin Davis tested the goalkeeper's reactions with a well-struck shot from a close angle.

Chapelton would respond with a chance of their own two minutes later as Javel Ellis, let through on goal, dragged a pass across the face of goal, but his intentions were easily read by the Waterhouse custodian.

Waterhouse would come close to the opener minutes before the half-time whistle when Davis showed off his footwork, dancing past two defenders out wide, before hitting the post.

BETTER LUCK

The team from Drewsland would have better luck in the second half when Nicholas Hamilton was brought down in the box to win a penalty, which was neatly dispatched by Fletcher.

Their lead would not last long, however, as 10 minutes later Cohen pulled Chapelton level with a finish from close range.

Waterhouse would go searching for the go-ahead goal yet again and tested the waters when second-half substitute Javane Bryan let loose a ferocious effort that whistled high of the bar.

Dyllan John, the schoolboy standout, would provide a creative outlet in his cameo for Waterhouse as he provided a dangerous ball into the box which went to waste as his forwards were just a beat too slow to capitalise.

John would again prove dangerous as in the 89th minute, he was found free on top of the box, but his shot on target was deflected out for a corner.

In the final attacking play of the game, Fletcher forced a save from the Chapelton goalkeeper with his dipping effort from a free kick.

Marcel Gayle, head coach of Waterhouse, was pleased to come away with a point, but felt his team should have taken their opportunities.

"We finished the game with 11 players and we finished the game strong. More importantly, we didn't lose the game. There are areas of improvement as the last time we played this team we lost," he said.

"We came here today, we were disciplined but we weren't clinical in front of goal today but nevertheless, we still have our destiny in our own hands."

The result means Waterhouse remain seventh in the league standings with 45 points and sit just outside the final play-off spot, trailing sixth-place Tivoli Gardens by a point.

For Chapelton, they fall to 11th place with 29 points, trailing Harbour View on 31.

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com