Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer
Arnett Gardens striker Gregg Taylor (left) scores his team's second goal past Boys' Town's goalie Philmore Crumbie during the Wray and Nephew National Premier League football match between the teams at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex yesterday. Arnett Gardens, which won 3-2, will take on Tivoli Gardens at Edward Seaga Stadium later. - IAN ALLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
FOLLOWING THEIR 1-0 win over Seba United on Sunday last, runaway leaders Harbour View will have another opposition from western Jamaica to deal with. Today they host Village at the Harbour View Mini Stadium in a 5:00 p.m. fixture.
With their tally of 45 points placing them 13 ahead of nearest rivals Waterhouse, many would expect Harbour View to be convinced that for the official crowning, the Wray and Nephew National Premier League title is theirs.
However, their coach Donovan Hayles will have nothing to do with that kind of thinking and as far as he is concerned, Village are a dangerous team and will be taken seriously.
"Regardless of what people say all these games - we have another round to play and the second-placed team is just 4-1/2 games behind us," said Hayles.
"The situation is that Village have not won any games away from home for the season but whatever the reason for that is I do not know. What we have to do is to ensure that we perform extremely well at home and ensure that that situation remains the same when they leave here," Hayles added.
To keep Village's away form consistent, Hayles will have a full strength squad to choose from. Luton Shelton, Lovel Palmer, Loxley Thomas, Donald Stewart, Jermaine Taylor and goalkeeper Ryan Thompson are all fit and ready. They could also call on Marcelino Blackburn, Rony Amaguana, Ricardo Smith, Oniel Smith and Kevin King.
TOUGH GAME
Village United and their coach are expecting a tough game from the leaders but will not be overawed. This is according to coach Dr. Dean Weatherly.
"They are the number one team in the nation right now and we have not won any game on the road for the season. What better time to start doing so than now and against the top team in the country," Dr. Weatherly reasoned.
A win over Harbour View would be a big Christmas present for Village United and with the expected return of Shane Crawford, Jeff Pearce and Kirk Hendricks they should be strengthened for this crucial game.
In addition to the returning
trio, Village will look to the competition's leading scorer Fabian Dawkins, Teofore Bennett, and Newton Sterling who is coming into his own, to provide the ammunition up front.
Ian McAnuff, Athol Franklyn, Nicardo Folkes and Troy Smith have also been solid contributors for Village.
In another game of interest, Tivoli and Arnett Gardens will meet at the Edward Seaga Stadium at 5:00 p.m. Any game between these two teams is bound to generate a lot of excitement despite the fact that both have been below their best this season.
Sitting in fourth place Tivoli Gardens are in a better position than the end of first round winners and would want to avenge a heavy 0-4 defeat in the first round.
Not too far away at the Tony Spaulding Sports Complex, the home of Arnett Gardens, neighbours Boys' Town will host a revitalised Seba United in the battle of promoted teams. This game kicks off at 3:00 p.m.
TODAY'S GAMES
Boys' Town vs Seba United at Troy Spaulding Sports Complex (3:00pm)
Tivoli Gardens vs Arnett Gardens at Edward Seaga Stadium (5:00pm)
Wadadah vs Portmore United at Jarrett Park (5:00pm)
Constant Spring vs Reno at Spring Complex (3:00pm)
Harbour View vs Village United at Harbour View Mini-Stadium (5:00pm)
Waterhouse vs Rivoli United at Waterhouse Stadium (5:00pm).
STANDINGS
| Teams | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GA | Pts |
| Harbour View | 17 | 15 | 0 | 2 | 30 | 7 | 23 | 45 |
| Waterhouse | 17 | 9 | 5 | 3 | 27 | 17 | 10 | 32 |
| Portmore | 16 | 6 | 9 | 1 | 21 | 12 | 9 | 27 |
| Tivoli Gardens | 17 | 8 | 3 | 6 | 30 | 19 | 11 | 27 |
| Village | 17 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 28 | 20 | 8 | 27 |
| Arnett Gardens | 17 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 20 | 23 | -3 | 25 |
| Reno | 17 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 13 | 12 | 1 | 20 |
| Boys' Town | 16 | 3 | 8 | 5 | 14 | 16 | -2 | 17 |
| Seba | 17 | 4 | 4 | 9 | 19 | 29 | -10 | 16 |
| Rivoli | 17 | 2 | 7 | 8 | 13 | 31 | -18 | 13 |
| Wadadah | 17 | 3 | 4 | 10 | 12 | 27 | -15 | 13 |
| Constant Spring | 17 | 0 | 9 | 8 | 13 | 26 | -13 | 9 |
