Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer
Waterhouse striker Kevin Lamey (left) and Portmore United defender Anthony Modeste will do battle toaday in this round's top National Premier League encounter. - Andrew Smith/Photography Editor
AFTER A week of inactivity in the Wray and Nephew National Premier League due to bad weather, football-starved fans will be in for treat today with a competitive schedule.
Today's matches are especially crucial as a number of teams are still in contention for a place in the end-of-round final with three sets of matches to take place, including today's fixtures.
In Westmoreland, battling Reno, made up mainly of promising youngsters, will host third-place Arnett Gardens. A win for Arnett Gardens, who have played a game less than second-placed Waterhouse, would improve their chances and increase the pressure on Waterhouse. Reno on the other hand would move closer to respectability with a win.
CROSS-BORDER CLASH
At Jarrett Park, the cross-border clash between Trelawny's Village United and St. James' Wadadah gets going at 5:00 p.m. The fortunes of the two teams could not be any more different. While Wadadah are yet to find form and are just a point above bottom-placed Seba United on five points, Village United are still trumpeting their chances of an end-of-round final position. It may be a stretch for Village to get there, but not impossible and with Fabian Dawkins and company in fine form, fans should expect goals to be scored.
While Wadadah, despite the fact that they are playing at home, may find it hard to beat Village; their neighbours Seba could have their best chance of getting three points when they meet fellow strugglers Constant Spring at Constant Spring. A win or even a point for Seba United is no guarantee though as in their last game at that very venue Constant Spring held defending champions Portmore United to a 3-3 draw.
At the Edward Seaga Stadium, fourth-place Tivoli Gardens, who are still in with a chance at the end-of-round final, must be smiling at the prospect of facing eighth-placed Rivoli United. Not only do Tivoli have the home advantage, but they are also happy at the fact that Christopher Nicholas and Jermaine Johnson have shown that they are getting back to top form. On any given day that could be trouble for any defensive unit.
Kasai Hinds is also expected back to lead the Tivoli backline. Rivoli, while they have not been the most consistent team, should not be written off as two matches ago they had second-placed Waterhouse hanging on for a point. In Garfield Reid and Devon Hodges they have players capable of turning a game.
The National Stadium fixture should be good, not just for the nostalgic feel, but for what the teams have to offer today. Current leaders Harbour View have defied predictions by hitting the ground running at the start of the season despite losing a number of key players. Boys' Town have shown that the 10 years out of this league has not killed their fighting spirit.
In terms of match-ups though, the best game could be the
3:30 clash between defending champions Portmore United and their big rivals Waterhouse.
Portmore, while not at their strongest, are still the only unbeaten team in the league. They are also still in with a chance of making the end-of-round final.
"I know it will be a tough game. Our assignment is to go to Portmore and beat Portmore United; something that has not happened all season which suggests that they have been doing something right," said Waterhouse coach Calvert Fitzgerald as he looked to today's game.
Following two weeks of less than impressive results, Fitzgerald knows that anything but a positive result could cost his team.
"We are going there to consolidate our position as we intend to get to the end-of-round final. To do that we have to play positive football. It is a difficult ask but we are up to the task," he said.
PORTMORE AT FULL STRENGTH
Waterhouse will not have a better chance of beating Portmore as they are at full strength with the return of first-string goalkeeper Richard McCallum to challenge Loxley Reid for the spot in goal. Kevin Lamey has a liking for scoring against Portmore United and if he is in the mood, he, along with strike partner Shane Edwards, could be dangerous.
Portmore United are a team of many weapons. Last season, when they defeated Waterhouse in the semi-finals, it was Mario Swaby who caused the major damage. On other days Kevin Deerr. Omar Daley or any of the Wolfe brothers could pounce.
STRONG RIVALRY
"The rivalry between the two teams has been one of great magnitude over the past two or three seasons. They are the team we knocked out of the semi-finals last season so that should still
be fresh in their minds," said Portmore's coach, Paul Young.
Waterhouse, Young added, have made changes in both player personnel and coaching but his players are ready.
"They have made change, but we know the way they play and will be ready. This is a very valuable game for us. Three points are at stake and we want those three points," Young said.
While the game will be difficult to call, one thing fans will see is good action.
STANDINGS
| P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| Harbour View | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 15 | 6 | 9 | 18 |
| Waterhouse | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 14 |
| Arnett Gardens | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 13 |
| Tivoli Gardens | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 11 | 9 | 2 | 13 |
| Village | 8 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 11 | 8 | 3 | 11 |
| Portmore | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 11 |
| Boys' Town | 7 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 10 |
| Reno | 7 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 9 |
| Rivoli | 8 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 11 | -4 | 7 |
| Wadadah | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 12 | -6 | 5 |
| Constant Spring | 8 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 12 | -7 | 4 |
| Seba | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 8 | 17 | -9 | 4 |
TODAY'S GAMES
Reno vs Arnett Gardens at Frome - 3:30 p.m.
Constant Spring vs Seba at Constant Spring - 3:30 p.m.
Wadadah vs Village at Jarrett Park - 5:00 p.m.
Tivoli Gardens vs Rivoli at Edward Seaga Stadium - 5:00 p.m.
Boys' Town vs Harbour View at National Stadium - 6:00 p.m.
Portmore United vs Waterhouse at Ferdie Neita Park - 3:30 p.m.
