Robert Bailey, Star Writer

A 57th-minute strike from Anthony Bennett carried Meadhaven United to an exciting 1-0 victory over Waterhouse in the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Under-21 competition at the Constant Spring Sports Complex yesterday.

In the day's other games, defending champions Harbour View, led by a brace each from John Ross Edwards and André Fagan, whipped Rivoli United 4-0. St Georges thrashed Boys' Town 8-1, Tivoli Gardens stopped Village United 4-1 and Reno recorded a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over mid-season champions Portmore United. André Patterson (52nd) and Obrian Woodbine (88th) were the goal scorers for Reno and Tremaine Stewart netted for Portmore United in the 15th.

Despite their loss, Portmore United still leads the standings with 32 points followed by Tivoli Gardens (29), Harbour View (28), Waterhouse (27) and Meadhaven United (26).

evenly contested

At Constant Spring, the first half was evenly contested with both teams squandering a number of clear chances. André Clennon, Darren Mattocks and Kenardo Forbes numbered among those failing to put away opportunities for Waterhouse, while Dewanye Williams and André were guilty of missing for Meadhaven United.

Meadhaven United came out firing in the second period and were rewarded when Bennett headed home a right-sided cross from Kenneil Hyde past custodian Jovel Plunkett. Williams thought he had doubled his team's lead a few minutes later but his point-blank effort was tipped over by Plunkett.

Waterhouse's should have had an equaliser in the dying moments of the game but substitute Oneil Clarke's point-blank header went wide of the target and De Andre Brown's 20-yards' blast went over the crossbar.

Lijyasu Simms, coach of Meadhaven United, was delighted with his team's performance.

"It was a very hard-fought game for us because most of our top players are out but we stuck to the task.

"We brought in some of our Under-20 players and they fought hard to the end and we were able to come out victorious," said Simms.

Anthony Patrick, coach of Waterhouse, did not believe his team had been up to par.

"We played a sloppy game in the first half, but in the second half we stepped up the tempo. However, our discipline broke down in some parts of the game and our marking was poor, then we gave up an easy goal.

"Nonetheless, I think we created a lot of chances, but we just didn't put them away," said Patrick.