Rivoli poised to advance
published: Wednesday | February 15, 2006

Howard Walker, Staff Reporter

LAMEY

THE SECOND-round second legs of the Red Stripe All-Island Knockout competition get under way today with three games.

St Catherine's Rivoli United, with a massive 8-1 thrashing of Bath Sports Club of St Thomas last week, should advance safely to the next round.

While the Waterhouse/Constant Spring and Arnett Gardens/Clark's Town games are evenly poised and up for grabs.

Only an act of God can deny Rivoli from advancing and Devon Hodges, Kemar Mills, Patrick Beech and company should have a field day at the York Oval.

HOME ADVANTAGE

Arnett Gardens will try to make the best use of their home advantage after playing to a 0-0 draw in Trelawny last week.

Clark's Town knocked off D.B. Basovak of St Catherine in the first round on the away goal rule after playing to a 0-0 draw at home before drawing 1-1 at the Prison Oval.

Based on their first-leg showing against Arnett Gardens, the Stephen Petgrave-coached Clark's Town cannot be taken lightly.

"Nothing has changed. I told the guys to go and play football and do the same thing they did last week. We know we are the underdogs but we don't deal with underdogs in football because the two teams are playing soccer," said Petgrave.

It is hard to see Arnett Gardens losing at home, but this is football and anything can happen.

However, Michael Tulloch, coach of Arnett Gardens, sees nothing less than a win.

"Definitely we are going to beat them, I am not going around any corner. If we can't beat Clark's Town it doesn't make any sense we play football," said Tulloch confidently.

"Last week we had a poor game and we know what we have to do and advance from this stage," he added.

DEFLATING LOSS

Waterhouse, coming off a deflating loss in the Western Union Jackie Bell final to Boys' Town, should rebound and beat Constant Spring and secure their place in the next round.

The first game ended 0-0 at Constant Spring and, playing at home, the wounded Waterhouse will be most dangerous.

Kevin Lamey, Jomo Gordon, Demar Phillips, Roberto Fletcher and Vincent Earle should secure victory for the Drewsland team.

Constant Spring will be depending on Shawn Hunter, Oneil Morrison, Cezray Twyne, Daemion Benjamin and Collin Brown to upset the apple cart.

TODAY'S GAMES

Bath Sports Club vs. Rivoli United at York Oval - 3:00 p.m.

Arnett Gardens vs. Clark's Town at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex - 5:00 p.m.

Waterhouse vs. Constant Spring at Waterhouse Mini Stadium - 6:00 p.m.