Hazard's Omar Daley (left) moves away from Arnett's Gregory Messam during the first-leg Premier League at the Tony Spaulding Sports Complex on May 18. The match ended in a 1-1 tie. -Michael Sloley photoNodley Wright, Staff Reporter
IT WILL be decision time at 5:00 p.m. today when Hazard United and Arnett Gardens begin their final clash of the season at the National Stadium to determine the National Premier League champions.
The first leg of the finals at the Tony Spaulding Sport Complex ended in a 1-1 deadlock so both sides will be striving for victory.
The final will be preceded by the Under-21 final between Hazard United and Tivoli Gardens with both teams still even at 0-0 from the first leg.
In the NPL, Arnett Gardens have won the title for the past two years and are aiming at the historic triple while Hazard United have their sights set on capturing a title which has eluded them since their lone triumph in 1993. Last season they were denied at the final hurdle.
This year they have been similarly dominant and have improved on some things such as their goalscoring as well as their defensive work. While Hazard are getting ready to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their win with another title the signs are not very good.
Things looking just like they did last year when Hazard dominated the first leg final but only managed to come away with a 1-1 draw. In the second leg they were pegged back 2-1 after taking the lead in the first minute. Like this year, the teams have played to all draws in the regular season.
Hazard coach Lenworth Hyde is unconcerned about the similar shape this season's finals are taking.
"I am not worried at all," Hyde said. "We just have to do what we did (in the first leg again)," he said.
One thing his team will have to do differently this time around is to take more shots, according to Hyde.
"We worked on the kicking and hopefully we can finish and, as I said before, one goal cannot do it. We have to score more goals and try to play a more team game in the final third."
Additionally, Hyde said his players were aware of the mistakes that cost them a victory last year.
"We want to go out there positive and I think the spirit is good. We know what we did wrong and we will go out there and play our high press football," Hyde said.
At the same time, Hyde said special attention would be paid to "Kevin Wilson and Walter Boyd who are getting the goals for Arnett".
Arnett's coach, Jerome Waite, has plans of his own.
"My team faltered in the midfield in the first leg and that contributed to the opponents' dominance for the better part of 65 minutes," said Waite before pronouncing his team physically, mentally, technically and tactically ready.
"This time around I can guarantee that the intensity will be up in midfield so whatever they have to offer we will withstand."
His team, which was lifted by the performance of substitutes Everton Bunsie and Denton Shedden in the first leg, will be further energised by the hard-tackling Gerald Neil who should do battle with the likes of Omar Daley, Kevin Deerr, Wolry Wolfe and Anthony Modeste. Neil's presence will allow Fabian Davis, who had a below par first leg, to play a more attacking game in support of Boyd, Wilson and Jonathan Williams in attack.
With this offensive thrust by Arnett Gardens, captain Claude Davis, Tyrone Sawyers Derrick Smith and possibly Ricardo Smith will have more defensive duties.
Deerr, who tormented the Arnett Gardens defence in the first leg and created a number of scoring opportunities for the competition's leading goalscorer Roen Nelson, is expected to cause similar problems. To close this gap, Waite could spring a surprise and include captain Eugene Barnes who has been out injured for close to five months.
