NATIONAL PREMIER League débutants Arlington face a daunting task today when they meet defending champions Tivoli Gardens at Edward Seaga Stadium in a rescheduled match at 3:30 p.m.
Today's other rescheduled encounter between Harbour View and Portmore United has been postponed as the former only arrived back in the island last night after a successful Caribbean Football Union Club Championship campaign in Montserrat where they beat Ideal Football Club 15-1 and 15-0.
Title holders Tivoli Gardens, who finished their game on Sunday in a mean mood at Drewsland where they lost top player Fabian Davis to a red card in a 2-2 tie with Waterhouse, will be out for an emphatic victory against the NPL rookies.
"I know they are coming hard at us because they drew on Sunday and they are playing against a new team and a team that only has two points," said Arlington coach Oneil Thomas earlier this week.
"On Sunday we gave up an advantage and lost the opportunity for three points but we've been working on it and we are taking our time to get there," he said of his side's 1-1 draw with Wadadah.
Tivoli should have all cylinders firing upon Arlington's arrival in west Kingston.
Tivoli have started better compared to last season when they lost three straight after their first win. That could be an ominous sign for an Arlington team which will meet a Tivoli team which has started to gel.
REBOUND OPPORTUNITY
After Sunday's game against Waterhouse, coach Glendon 'Admiral' Bailey pointed to this match-up as an opportunity to rebound a fact which should make Thomas and his bunch of newcomers jittery.
"We only can grow from strength to strength. This team has shown that it is a quality team and nothing has changed," Bailey warned. "We just have to lift again," he added.
"What I'm proud of this year is that this team has depth," said Bailey. "We have players who can come off the bench and make a difference."
