Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

Portmore United's Newton Sterling is tackled from behind by Waterhouse defender Michael Stone during their Cash Plus Premier League football match at Drewsland Mini Stadium yesterday. Waterhouse won 1-0. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

Former champions Waterhouse are off and running following a hard-fought 1-0 victory over a Portmore team who saw their numbers eventually reduced to nine men at the Drewsland Mini Stadium yesterday.

Striker Jomo Gordon's ninth-minute penalty was enough to give Waterhouse their first win of the season in slippery conditions at Drewsland yesterday, after opening the season on a low note with a 3-4 loss to Seba at Jarrett Park in their opening fixture.

Gordon blasted the ball high into the roof of the net past a fully stretched Portmore custodian, Dwayne Kerr, on the second time of asking after the penalty had been called back as Kerr was deemed to be off his line too early. The crafty Damian Williams, who would have a tough time dealing with challenges which constantly rapped him around the ankles, was the player deemed to have been brought down in the area.

Another challenge on Williams would see Portmore midfielder Wolry Wolfe given his marching orders in the 40th minute. Wolfe looked to be struggling to maintain control on the slick pitch, but was shown a second yellow card.

Mario Swaby had the chance to give his team a share of the points in the 86th-minute but, facing an almost empty net, he took too much time to get his shot away. Swaby had another sniff of goal in the 90th minute but could not get enough power on a header from a tough angle. Eric Vernon was sent off for a rash injury- time challenge on a dribbling Williams.

"I think the refereeing was average today, the players are coming at full speed and it is always going to be tough to stop," was the complaint of Portmore coach Linval Dixon.

"The first red card really set us back but congratulations to Waterhouse, they stuck to the task."

Waterhouse coach Danilo Barigga was pleased with what he saw from his team.

"I was very pleased with the system that we played today, we are taking it easy and we will come into our own," he said.

Waterhouse's Kirk Ramsey controls the ball on his chest in front of Portmore United's Andre Campbell during their Cash Plus Premier League football match at Drewsland Mini Stadium yesterday. Waterhouse won 1-0. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

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Jomo Gordon 9th Portmore	0