Benbow thriving with goals, assists on Waterhouse return

AFTER failing to score a single goal during the 2021 Jamaica Premier League (JPL) season, Cardel Benbow appears to be rediscovering his best form at Waterhouse Football Club.

The former Mount Pleasant ace scored twice and provided an assist as Waterhouse ran out 4-0 winners against Portmore United at the UWI-JFF Captain Horace Burrell Centre of Excellence yesterday.

The 26-year-old player, who now has three goals and two assists in his last two matches, said returning to Waterhouse, where he score seven goals in 17 games before leaving for Mount Pleasant in 2017, is a real homecoming.

"It is like home for me. The guys all welcomes me home, along with the coach. So I am happy and really enjoying every moment there," he said.

Benbow put Waterhouse into the lead, when Andre Fletcher capitalised on a blunder by Portmore's goalkeeper Eric Edwards and set up the winger, who slotted past a host of defenders who were goal-side.

Denardo Thomas then made it 2-0 in the 31st minute. Benbow then assisted the third when he slipped a delicate pass through to Jahvon James, who put the ball between Edwards' legs to make it three-nil.

Early in the second half, Benbow, who was Waterhouse's biggest threat all game, added a second and his team's fourth when he took a pass behind the defence and placed the ball wide of Edwards in goal.

Benbow noted that Portmore are one of their biggest rivals and this fixture is always about who wants it more.

"It was the team who wanted the game the most, and who executed their game plan that the coaches gave them, the best," he said.

Waterhouse assistant coach, Daniel Bent, said the team was on song yesterday afternoon.

"We ticked all boxes today. We started off on the front foot and in the first half we were three goals up," he said.

He added that the coaching staff was also pleased with the contribution of the substitutes.

"Waterhouse is a team with quality all round. If you take off a particular player, quality is coming on to the pitch nonetheless," he noted.

"We have a very competitive squad, with a lot of talented players and players need minutes to keep them sharp and we were very pleased with the persons who came on the field," he said.

Portmore's coach, Lenworth Hyde Sr., said his team gave up too many soft goals.

"I cannot knock the players for the effort, but some silly mistakes at the back of the team caused us to lose the game," he said.

Waterhouse lead the points standing on goal difference over Mount Pleasant, who also scored a 4-0 win yesterday over Montego Bay United, to stay level on 12 points.

First-half goals from Daniel Green, Suelae McCalla, Donovan Segree and Cleon Pryce saw Mount Pleasant to victory against MoBay United, who dropped to ninth in the table.

In the lone game on Saturday, Oshane Staple's last-gasp equaliser earned Harbour View a 1-1 draw with Arnett Gardens. Ronaldo Cephas scored for Arnett. Both teams have five points, with Arnett fourth and Harbour View fifth on goal difference.

However, the second game that was scheduled for Saturday, between Tivoli Gardens and Vere United, was postponed because of COVID-19 compliance issues.

The competition continues today with a double-header. Humble Lion play Cavalier at 1 p.m., while at 3:15 p.m. Molynes United take on Dunbeholden. All matches are played at the UWI-JFF Captain Horace Burrell Centre of Excellence.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm