Robert Bailey, Freelance Writer

WATERHOUSE AND Reno recorded convincing first-leg victories in the finals of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF)/Sherwin Williams Women's Premier League and 'A' matches at the Barbican field at the weekend.

In the opening game of the double-header, Reno, led by goals from Carla Daniels (ninth), Sashawna Campbell (16th), Tashesha Gordon (30th), Lesia Foster (83rd) and Monifa Williams (89th), thrashed Arnett Gardens 5-0 in the 'A' league clash.

Meanwhile, doubles from national representatives Rochelle Bryan and Omolyn Davis carried Waterhouse to a comfortable 4-1 win over Portmore Strikers in the Premier League battle.

"I am very satisfied with this victory because if you are playing a final and win 4-1 it must be pleasing and I am happy for this," said a delighted Xavier Gilbert, coach of the Waterhouse team.

"I think that we could have done some things better because we gave up a goal to them which we should not have given up, and we were also lapsing in the middle of the field," he said.

"Our plans for the second leg is to go out and play good football and make sure that we try to outscore them again."

Poor performance

Cornell Clarke, coach of Portmore Strikers, said: "We played a very poor game in defence and in the midfield. We also weren't able to put away our chances.

"We will just have to try and dig deep in the second leg in order for us to get back at this Waterhouse team because I know that we can do it ... we have done it before," Clarke explained.

Quick defender

Waterhouse, who are making the first appearance in the finals, were quickly out of the blocks as they took the lead in the second minute when Bryan dribbled her way past three Portmore defenders to fire home from close range.

Bryan then doubled her team's lead three minutes later with a powerful 25-yard shot, which went like a rocket past goalkeeper Peatria Campbell.

The Drewsland-based team went further ahead in the 30th minute when Davis netted home a well-placed 30-yard free kick past Campbell.

Venceia Reid then pulled one back for Portmore Strikers a minute later from point-blank range.

Davis then completed her double in the 74th minute when she converted a penalty past Campbell, after teammate Jody Bethune was brought down inside the 18-yard box.

The second-leg finals will be played at the Waterhouse Mini Stadium.

'I am very satisfied with this victory because if you are playing a final and win 4-1 it must be pleasing and I am happy for this.'

- Xavier Gilbert,

Coach

Waterhouse team