Waterhouse's Jomo Gordon (left) prepares to tackle Arnett Gardens' Cornel Chin-Sue in action from the Western Union KSAFA Jackie Bell Knockout semi-final on Wednesday night. Waterhouse won 1-0. - Peta-Gaye Clachar/Staff Photographer Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

WATERHOUSE COACH Wayne Fairclough praised his team for its determination in outlasting a stubborn Arnett Gardens 1-0 to book its place in the final of the Western Union Jackie Bell Knockout competition at the Harbour View Mini Stadium on Wednesday night.

It wasn't an excellent game but it was certainly a gutsy one," Fairclough said.

"It was a collective and determined effort from the guys, and that was what led us to a well-earned victory over Arnett," he said.

Staggering to and fro like two weary boxers in the ring, the Drewsland team and the 'Junglists' traded blows, but it wasn't until the 90th minute that former Arnett Gardens striker Leon Strickland delivered the knockout punch.

With extra time looming, the forward ran on to the ball and blasted it past Arnett custodian Julian McLiesh, who had stopped an awkward initial shot by substitute Damion Powell, but could do nothing about Strickland's effort.

The goal was a heartbreaker for Arnett who have found recent good form following a disappointing start to the season. They unceremoniously dumped rivals Tivoli Gardens out of the competition at the quarter-final stage and had licked their lips at the prospect of making a final.

"This was a very disappointing result for us. The guys have been playing well, they played well today and it was just a very tough loss," said Arnett coach Jerome Waite.

"The goal was a result of a lack of concentration. We only had 10 players on the pitch at the time but I guess we will just have to try and recover from this and look forward to the final round of the premier league," Waite, the man credited with the comeback of the team which only a handful of games ago found itself stuck in the relegation zone, explained.

With a bit of luck the 'Junglists' could easily have pulled in front in a first half which saw them ahead in possession.

Struggling 'keeper

As early as the 10th minute, Waterhouse 'keeper Maurice Evans struggled to deal with an effort struck low and hard from the 18-yard area by striker Onandi Lowe. The custodian was again called upon to react quickly to swat away two fiercely struck free kicks - one in the 22nd minute and one on the stroke of half-time by Fabian Davis.

In fact, a sweeping move by Cornel Chin-Sue from the centre of the pitch did culminate with him putting the ball into the back of the net, but the 37th-minute effort was ruled offside.

Arnett failed to heed a 66th-minute warning when only the heroics of Evans, who flung himself at the boots of Strickland who collected the ball no more than two yards away from goal, kept Waterhouse from taking the lead.

In a mouth-watering match-up scheduled for the Harbour View Mini Stadium at 5:00 p.m. this Sunday, Waterhouse will challenge rivals and defending champions Harbour View for the title.