Portmore tackle Tivoli at home
published: Wednesday | December 10, 2003

LeVaughn Flynn, Staff Reporter

PORTMORE UNITED are looking to uproot Village United from the third spot in the Wray & Nephew National Premier League (NPL) standings when they battle Tivoli Gardens in a rescheduled match at the Ferdie Neita Park this afternoon at 3:00.

Also taking part in rescheduled games are Arnett Gardens and Seba United, who play at the Tony Spaulding Sports Complex at 5:30 p.m.

Both games were rescheduled as last year's finalists, Portmore and Arnett, were competing in the CONCACAF Club Championships.

Portmore United (25) are one point behind Village United (26) and are looking to better their ranking when they take on Tivoli. Portmore also have a game in hand against Reno, which is scheduled for next Wednesday at Frome.

CAUTIOUS

In the first meeting between Portmore and Tivoli, Portmore won 2-1 but their coach, Lenworth Hyde, said his team always had to be cautious of Tivoli's attacking style of play.

"They have a quality team, a good attacking force, so we have to play tight around the back," Hyde said speaking of his defensive unit.

"Tivoli is a team that we love to play because both teams (Portmore and Tivoli) play a similar type of football, but it is who wants it more on the day that is going to get the victory," he said.

Tivoli are sixth in the 12-team league with 22 points and only a +1 goal difference separates them from fifth place Rivoli United.

The many loyal and passionate Arnett fans are patiently waiting for their team to come to life and not only display the form they are more than capable of, but remain in form.

They were able to come from behind to carve out a 1-1 draw against Tivoli on Sunday but if Arnett concede the first goal in today's game they may not be able to execute the necessary plays to find the equaliser let alone the winner.

Arnett (15) are third in conceding the most goals with 23 and have only found the back of the net 16 times. Only cellar dwellers Star Cosmos (31) and the inconsistent Constant Spring (28) have allowed more.

In the first round, Arnett travelled to the 'Wild, Wild West' and got a 4-0 thrashing from Seba. Following that loss, they played five games without a win and are yet to take home three points in the second round.

SUSPENDED

Seba have also been having a less than impressive season and are 11th with 12 points and have only won two games. If it is any advantage for Arnett, Kemar Mills, the man who scored two of the four goals in the first encounter and is Seba's leading scorer, will not be in action today. Also absent will be Jermaine Anderson and Alrick Henry who were suspended after the fracas with Reno two weeks ago.

Meanwhile, Santos yesterday qualified for the Federation Cup after a 2-1 victory over Boys' Town.

In Super League action yesterday, Maverley/Hughenden outclassed Olympic Gardens 4-2. In Major League action, Shortwood United downed UWI 3-0 and Police National were too good for Green-wich Town, 2-0.

TODAY'S GAMES

(Home teams named first)