Howard Walker, Staff Reporter
HAYLES
TIVOLI GARDENS, Waterhouse, Portmore and Arnett Gardens all hold the advantage in today's return legs of the Red Stripe Champions Cup All-Island Knockout competition.
Rivoli and Portmore United gave up their home advantages and will play Arnett Gardens and Harbour View respectively at the National Stadium.
Rivoli, who drew 0-0 at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex two weeks ago, and Portmore, who scored a vital away goal in their 1-1 draw at the Compound, will be playing on neutral ground.
Tivoli Gardens, with a whopping 6-0 first-leg thrashing of Maverley, should easily advance to the semi-finals. but the other three quarter-finals will be closely contested.
Tivoli, led by four goals from Carlton Young, swamped Super League outfit Maverley/Hughenden 6-0 and, although playing away, could repeat that scoreline today.
Red-hot Waterhouse hold a one-goal advantage going to Frome after defeating Reno 2-1 at Drewsland and, buoyed by their Premier League form, should get the better of Reno.
But Reno rarely play bad at Frome and with a upset victory over Harbour View last Sunday, and with the only title left for them to win, Reno should be well motivated to create an upset.
In the feature encounter, defending champions Portmore United's aim was to score an away goal and they did, but they gave up their home advantage by playing at the Stadium, where they might be outnumbered by Harbour View fans.
Nevertheless, Portmore, with a 1-0 win over Tivoli Gardens on Sunday, could play on Harbour View's low morale and make it a miserable day for the Stars of the East.
FIRE POWER
Portmore will be without the towering Onandi Lowe, who left the island yesterday for the US, but Kevin Deerr, Wolry Wolfe, Jason Morrison, Anthony Bennett and Anthony Modeste should provide enough fire power to press for victory.
Donovan Hayles, coach of Harbour View, will have his hands full to lift his team after that deflating loss to Reno on Sunday.
Harbour View, with Donald Stewart, Lovel Palmer, Fabian Taylor, Marcelino Blackburn, Ronny Amaguana and Richard Edwards, could silence their critics with a sterling performance.
The Arnett Gardens/Rivoli clash is still up for grabs after both teams played to a 0-0 draw at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex.
Arnett are at a low right now, but they did enough to defeat today's rival 2-1 on Sunday and could repeat that performance and secure a semi-final spot. Admission to the Stadium doubleheader is $300 and the gate will be opened at 5:00 p.m.
TODAY'S GAMES
Reno vs Waterhouse at Frome - 3:00 p.m.
Maverley/Hughenden vs Tivoli Garden at Maverley - 3:00 p.m.
Rivoli vs Arnett Garden at National Stadium - 6:00 p.m.
Portmore vs Harbour View at National Stadium - 8:00 p.m.
