Left: Waterhouse striker Kevin Lamey jumps to control the ball on his chest ahead of Arnett Gardens defender Rasheed Clarke during the Digicel Premier League football match at Drewsland Mini Stadium yesterday. Waterhouse won 2-0. Right: Arnett Gardens' player/coach, Fabian Davis (right), is muscled off the ball by Waterhouse's Hugh Howell during the Digicel Premier League football match at Drewsland Mini Stadium yesterday. Waterhouse won 2-0. - Ian Allen/Photographer

Coach Geoffrey Maxwell can breathe a sigh of relief after his bruised Waterhouse outfit recorded their first win of the season with a workmanlike 2-0 victory over Arnett Gardens in their Digicel Premier League game at Drewsland yesterday.

With huge question marks over Maxwell's future after his team's dismal start to the season - without a point after five matches - an Irvino English free kick and a sublime finish from attacking midfielder Weston Forrest loosened the noose around the Gulliver-like tactician's neck.

In a keenly contested game that offered everything a good game should - except the two red cards issued to Waterhouse's Oneil Thomas and Arnett Gardens' Kevin Wilson in the 68th minute for an off-the-ball altercation - Waterhouse were deserved winners and could have won by a greater margin.

English sent the Waterhouse supporters in rapture after his 38th-minute free kick near the right touchline eluded everyone and ended up in the back of the net.

However Forrest sealed the issue for Waterhouse in the 68th minute with a wonder strike from the top of the 18-yard box after a Kenardo Forbes through pass.

Team back together

Said Maxwell: "What I would say is that the team is back together, there is more unity and that was the major difference tonight. I must thank the back-room staff and without singling out anybody, I must pay special attention to Bruce Bicknell (chairman) who has been very supportive.

"The team is more together and there is far more camaraderie. People are beginning to realise that this is a club that wants to win the Premier League and it's not about who plays and who does not. The performance tonight is very heart-warming and encouraging," he added.

Arnett Gardens' player/coach, Fabian Davis, remained resolute.

Said Davis: "I am not discouraged. I am a man of courage and a man of God, I like challenges and this is my responsibility and my job and I will keep going until we find that place where we need to be."