By Nodley Wright, Staff ReporterWITH TWO sets of matches to go before the second end of round final of the Wray and Nephew National Premier League the scramble is on for places as the competition continues today with a full set of games.
Three teams, leaders Hazard United, Harbour View and Waterhouse are in contention for two places. Of the three Hazard United have the easiest chance as they will need just a draw from two games to progress. Waterhouse and Harbour View can end up on a maximum 23 points the same as Hazard if they manage just that one draw.
Hazard's goal difference is far superior to any other team and Harbour View have the next best. For Waterhouse to advance they will have to hope that either Hazard drop all six points or Harbour View drop at least two while they Waterhouse win both their games.
Waterhouse did themselves a lot of good on Sunday last with the biggest result in the League when they ended the 18-game unbeaten run of Hazard, the competitions form team.
Apart from three valuable points that win would have given them added confidence going into today's game against Constant Spring a team they beat on penalties in the Jackie Bell Knock Out last week. That game was at Drewsland but today's game will be at Constant Spring.
Playing at Constant Spring is not necessarily an advantage for the home team as they have snatched defeat from the jaws of victory on a number of occasions, the most recent against a nine-man Reno team. Today's Constant Spring should be a different one as they have been bolstered by the signing of two former Tivoli Gardens players, forward Dave Clarke and midfielder/defender Oneil Brown.
That will have no bearing though on Calvert Fitzgerald's team.
"We have an aim to reach the second round final," said Fitzgerald the Waterhouse coach before adding, "We're not celebrating Sunday's win because we need to collect six more points in order to have a chance."
Fitzgerald is mindful of the fact that his team cannot take the opposition lightly. "It might be a tricky game," he said. "We'll have to be very careful, mindful of complacency." With the return of captain Irvino English Fitzgerald can be sure that if the players forget the team leader will remind them.
Complacency is just the thing that could hurt Waterhouse today if Constant Spring continue their form of Sunday last when they held defending champions Arnett Gardens to a 0-0 draw.
"We outplayed Arnett," said Constant Spring boss Maurice "Danny" Lyn referring to Sunday's game.
"We played a mature game, gave away very little. We created quality chances but goalie Julian McLeish came up big. In addition, the post intervened on Oneil McDonald's 35-yard free-kick," Lyn continued.
In other games Hazard should be back to full strength when they host resurgent Village United at Ferdie Neita Park. In addition to the competition's leading scorer Roen Nelson they should have Claude Davis, Kevin Deerr and possibly Omar Daley back in action.
Village United should also welcome back Shane Crawford who along with Under-23 midfielder Fabian Dawkins and the red-hot Teofore Bennett could cause some problems. Sunday's 6-1 win over Wadadah in which Bennet had a hat trick and Dawkins had a brace should also be fresh in their minds.
At the Tony Spaulding Sports Complex, the struggling Arnett Gardens will have a difficult time holding off a hard-running and talented Seba United. Unlike Arnett Gardens who gave up dream of a place in the end of second round final, Seba United have a slim chance and they will want to stay with the pace.
Tivoli Gardens should collect another three points when they host Bull Bay at Railway Oval.
