Waterhouse blank Spanish Town Police and climb to fifth - Harbour View, Molynes in entertaining 2-2 draw

Host Waterhouse climbed to fifth place in this season's Jamaica Premier League (JPL) football competition after a 3-0 victory over bottom-place Spanish Town Police at the Waterhouse Mini-Stadium yesterday.

Barbadian Omani Leacock opened the scoring in the 45th minute, before substitutes Shamari Dallas (75th) and Mario Simms added further goals to seal the win for the home side.

Victory lifted Waterhouse from sixth to 34 points. Spanish Town Police remain rooted at the bottom of the standings with 18 points. Montego Bay United continue to lead the table with 51 points.

Waterhouse dominated much of the contest but were initially kept at bay by a resolute Spanish Town Police defensive unit. However, Leacock finally broke the deadlock just before halftime when he arrived at the back post to tap home a cross from Javain Bryan.

Waterhouse, who controlled the tempo of the game in the second half, doubled their advantage when Dallas fired a powerful right-footed shot from 20 yards out, scoring against the run of play. Simms then wrapped up victory for the home side with a neat finish past the Spanish Town Police goalkeeper on the stroke of full-time.

ENTERTAINING DRAW

Meanwhile, the opening encounter between Molynes United and Harbour View FC was filled with goals, comebacks and a red card, as both teams played to an entertaining 2-2 draw.

Ronaldo Barrett opened the scoring early for Molynes in the sixth minute, before captain Nicholas Nelson doubled their lead in the ninth minute. Harbour View responded through the ever-reliable Trayvon Reid in the 29th minute, and Rushane Thompson secured a point with an 83rd-minute strike.

Nelson, who netted his fourth goal since returning to Molynes United, said that despite his team's failure to hold on for the win, he was satisfied with the point earned.

"As you can see, in the first half we played brilliantly but in the second half we fell asleep, although we got a red card. But we still fought through the game the same way and we have to give thanks for a point today," he said.