Waterhouse stretch unbeaten run to eight games

Waterhouse’s Denardo Thomas (right) attempts to take on Cavalier’s Luis Watson in their Legend Jamaica Premier League contest at the Drewsland Stadium in Kingston on Monday. (Photo courtesy of Waterhouse FC) WITH Waterhouse FC continuing their unbeaten start to the Legend Jamaica Premier League (JPL), Head Coach Donovan Duckie says they have ambitions of winning the title this season and ending their 20-year title drought. Waterhouse moved to the top of the table on Monday night after a 2-1 win over last season’s finalists Cavalier at the Drewsland Stadium. Alexander Bicknell put Waterhouse in front in the 36th minute but Dwayne Allen equalised for Cavalier on the stroke of half-time. However, Omani Leacock would find the winner in the 62nd minute to ensure Waterhouse picked up their fifth win of the season. Duckie says he was pleased with his team’s grit against a tough Cavalier side. “We knew we would have more possession, but they’re a dangerous side when they transition forward,” he said. “We messed up, we were late in counter-pressing, we didn’t organise quickly, and so we conceded a goal. “But I thought the introduction of the changes worked for us, they lifted the spirit, the tempo of the game was good, and it’s important for us to continue on this pathway, and it’s bearing fruit.” Waterhouse’s invincible start continues and move to 18 points, one clear of newly promoted Tru-Juice. Duckie, who returned to the club this summer for his third stint, says the players deserve to be in this position. “Full credit has to be given to the guys that have worked tirelessly in pre-season and I think they’re adapting to the principles and core philosophies and it’s showing,” he said. “They’ve worked hard for this to be top of the table and it’s just for us to manage the egos and keep them humble.” Waterhouse haven’t lifted the JPL title since 2006 while losing in finals in 2014, 2018, 2019 and 2021. However, Duckie says he wants to bring the glory days back to Waterhouse, who haven’t finished higher than fourth in the past five seasons. “There are some objectives that we have set out,” he said. “This is Waterhouse, a club like this with the structure and the sponsors, it should be in Concacaf so that is the first thing. “[But] it’s early days and we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves. We want to remain focused and continue to work. “The most important thing to me is the 12th man. You have to also acknowledge the crowd of Waterhouse, they have been driving us, driving the motivation and that is also important for us to go forward.” Cavalier, who remain sixth in the standings, have only one win from their last five games. Assistant Coach David Laylor, though, isn’t worried about the team’s form at the moment. “It’s a learning curve for them, so at the end of the day, we just encourage them, just keep pressing because I think they did well, but goals win games and that’s just it,” he said. “When you’re rebuilding, sometimes you end up with a slow start and we will rebuild at the end of the day, we will recover and we will get there at some point.”