By Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer
Portmore's Roen Nelson... back in action today. - File
WITH JUST two sets of games left to play in the Wray and Nephew National Premier League including today's round, competition for a place in the first end of round final seems headed down to the wire.
In contention for a place are leaders Harbour View on 22 and in need of just a win to cement their place. They are almost a safe bet as they play the inconsistent Reno away at Frome. If the form book proves true then the other teams in with a chance would only be battling for one place.
Tivoli Gardens, who are in fourth place on 17 points, can end up with a maximum of 23 points providing they beat Rivoli, the team they host today, and also win their final game. Their position in the final though would be dependent on Water-house ending up with less than three points from their remaining games.
Waterhouse's opponents today, third-placed Portmore United who are a point behind and are in with a chance of qualifying as well, should be a shoo-in with a win today and a draw in their next game which makes today's game not only a battle for three points but for a place in the final.
Both camps are fully aware of the situation they find themselves in. Waterhouse's Peter Cargill in on a high following his team's midweek win over former champions Arnett Gardens playing away from home.
"The win against Arnett Gardens has put us in position where we have a good opportunity of reaching the end of round final which is one of our objectives," Cargill said.
Today's game against Portmore, he added, is just another day at work and if they take care of business it will put them into the final providing Tivoli do not beat Rivoli.
"This game means a lot to us. It is one we really want to win and we will select our strongest team and hope for the best," was how Portmore's coach, Lenworth Hyde, summed up the situation.
And if Waterhouse's Cargill has reason to be happy heading into the game, Hyde has even more four more. Prolific scorer Roen Nelson, midfielders Carlington Smith and Wolry Wolfe and defender Tyrone Sawyers have returned from loan in Trinidad and Tobago and are available for the game.
"They are here. They arrived on Thursday and have trained twice since arriving. They did so on Friday and Saturday morning. I like the way they look and maybe they will play a part but we are not giving anything away," Hyde said yesterday.
The return of these players should deepen an already talented Portmore team populated with the likes of Anthony Modeste, Kevin Deerr, Denzil Watson, Christopher Dawes, top goalkeeper Shaw Sawyers and the veteran goalscorer Oneil McDonald.
While Waterhouse may not boast a lineup with names such as Portmore's, they still have a formidable squad with the likes of goalkeepers Loxley Reid and Richard McCallum, Irvino English, Damion Powell, Kevin Lamey, Weston Forrest and the young Richard West. What Waterhouse also have is a developing team unit.
"They (the team) are working hard, fighting for every ball and supporting each other which is good. I think they are bonding well and on their way to becoming a team. I think we are just halfway of where we want to be so we are still a work in progress," he said.
Gardens has put us in position where we have a good opportunity of reaching the end of round final which is one of our objectives," Cargill said.
Today's game against Portmore, he added, is just another day at work and if they take care of business it will put them into the final providing Tivoli do not beat Rivoli.
"This game means a lot to us. It is one we really want to win and we will select our strongest team and hope for the best," was how Portmore's coach, Len-worth Hyde, summed up the situation.
And if Waterhouse's Cargill has reason to be happy heading into the game, Hyde has even more four more. Prolific scorer Roen Nelson, midfielders Carlington Smith and Wolry Wolfe and defender Tyrone Sawyers have returned from loan in Trinidad and Tobago and are available for the game.
"They are here. They arrived on Thursday and have trained twice since arriving. They did so on Friday and Saturday morning. I like the way they look and maybe they will play a part but we are not giving anything away," Hyde said yesterday.
The return of these players should deepen an already talented Portmore team populated with the likes of Anthony Modeste, Kevin Deerr, Denzil Watson, Christopher Dawes, top goalkeeper Shaw Sawyers and the veteran goalscorer Oneil McDonald.
While Waterhouse may not boast a lineup with names such as Portmore's, they still have a formidable squad with the likes of goalkeepers Loxley Reid and Richard McCallum, Irvino English, Damion Powell, Kevin Lamey, Weston Forrest and the young Richard West. What Waterhouse also have is a developing team unit.
"They (the team) are working hard, fighting for every ball and supporting each other which is good. I think they are bonding well and on their way to becoming a team. I think we are just halfway of where we want to be so we are still a work in progress," he said.
TODAY'S GAMES
Tivoli Gardens vs Rivoli at Edward
Seaga Sports Complex
Wadadah vs Village United at
Jarrett Park
Invaders vs Constant Spring at
Elleston Wakeland Centre
Arlington vs Arnett at Prison Oval
Waterhouse vs Portmore at
Waterhouse
Reno vs Harbour View at Frome
STANDINGS
| | | P | W | D | | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| Harbour View | | | 9 | 7 | | 1 | 1 | 22 | 11 | | +11 | 22 |
| Waterhouse | 9 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 15 | | | | 7 | | | | | +8 | 20 |
| Portmore | 9 | 6 | | | 4 | | | 0 | | 19 | | | | 5 | +14 | 19 |
| Tivoli | | 9 | 4 | | 5 | 0 | 17 | 5 | | +12 | 17 |
| Arnett | 9 | 5 | 1 | 3 | | | 19 | | 8 | +11 | 16 |
| Reno | | | 9 | 2 | | 4 | 3 | | | | 7 | | | 10 | | | | | | | -3 | 10 |
| Rivoli | | | 9 | 2 | | 3 | 4 | | 12 | 12 | | | | | | | | 0 | 9 |
| Village | 9 | 2 | | 2 | 5 | 12 | 15 | | | | -3 | 8 |
| Invaders | | 9 | | 1 | 3 | 5 | | | 7 | 16 | | | | -9 | 6 |
| Constant Spring | 9 | 1 | 3 | | | 5 | 11 | | 21 | | -10 | 6 |
| Arlington | | 9 | 1 | 3 | 5 | | | 7 | 21 | | | | | -14 | 6 |
| Wadadah | | | 9 | 1 | 3 | 5 | | | 8 | 26 | -18 | 6 |
