Meadhaven United midfielder Rohan Williams dribbles away from Waterhouse's Rohan Amos (left) and Michael Stone during the Digicel Premier League match at Constant Spring yesterday. Waterhouse won 1-0. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

SUBSTITUTE Vincent Earle yesterday netted an 87th minute goal for Waterhouse to clip Meadhaven 1-0 at Constant Spring, breaking the heart of the homesters, who were undone by a late strike for the second week in a row in the Digicel Premier League.

A 59th minute substitute, Earle's strike knocked the wind out of a spirited Meadhaven team, which pressed Waterhouse early in the first half and also looked the better side after the break.

Jermaine Anderson hit a high cross from the left for Earle to chase to the right corner flag. The Waterhouse midfielder did well to keep the ball in play, turned and cut towards the penalty box, firing from an acute angle what initially appeared to be a cross for another substitute, Irvino English, to finish.

However, the pace and angle of the shot not only beat English but also goalie Andrew Gibson, who was blindsided by the onrushing Waterhouse player.

It was another sad loss for Meadhaven, who were nipped 1-0 at Harbour View off Marcelino Blackburn's 88th minute goal last week.

Yesterday's loss kept them 10th in the standings, sharing 12 points with Village but spared next-to-last on goal difference.

Waterhouse moved to 22 points but stayed sixth, four behind fifth-place St Georges.

Coach blamed poor officiating

Meadhaven coach Lijyasu Simms sat on his bench with a scowl on his face after the loss, blaming what he described as "poor officiating" for his team's downfall. An injury, he added, allowed Waterhouse to get the winner.

"Our player went down, we had 10 men, they capitalised and got a goal," he said.

Waterhouse's Hugh Blair said his team appeared tired after the holidays.

"Today was a hectic day for the players after the holiday. I saw it on the tone of their bodies but they came out and stuck to the task," he said.

However, with Roger Rodney sticking to Anderson and his strike partner Brian Wollaston failing to create space off the ball, Waterhouse failed to penetrate Meadhaven's defence although they twice hit the woodwork in the first half.

In the 33rd, Kenardo Forbes blasted a free kick from 40 yards on the left side, shaving the back post and Anderson attempted a looping kick on the run four minutes later, the ball dipping and hitting the crossbar.

Meadhaven looked better in attack, utilising the flanks especially striker Tafari Farley, who had good sights on goal in the 15th and 37th minutes but kicked straight to goalie Richard McCallum from either side of goal.

Former Waterhouse midfielder, Weston Forrest, got a sitter to put away his old side in the 61st but spun his shot wide of the mark from 12 yards.

"Maybe it was not as pretty as the fans would have liked but we came out with a victory," said Blair after his team pulled through.