Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer

WITH THE League champions decided and the two teams to be relegated already knowing their fate, it is just a matter of playing for pride and completing the fixtures in the 2006/07 Wray and Nephew National Premier League (NPL).

As far as champions Harbour View are concerned, they will want to make the Harbour View mini-stadium a party venue when they host Village United today.

On Wednesday, they stuttered to the title after playing to a 1-1 draw with relegated Naggo Head at Ferdie Neita Park. Their concerns were eased later when closest rivals Portmore United played to a 1-1 draw with defending champions Waterhouse.

Never-say-die attitude

Having also secured the prize money for scoring the most goals in league and having the best defensive record, Harbour View will also be hoping that one of Fabian Taylor or Kavin Bryan, both of whom are in with a chance of taking the individual scoring title, will add some more goals to their tally.

On the face of it, there appears not to be much in the game between Reno and Naggo Head, but one of the hallmarks of the Naggo Head team is their pride and fighting spirit even though they were condemned to relegation by many from early in the season.

They have had a never-say-die attitude all season and have enjoyed a few prized scalps. A win over Reno, especially at Frome, would be another one to treasure. Reno, for their part, will be seeking to consolidate their position and regain form.

Ricardo Scott, another player with a chance of taking the goalscoring title, will be looking to increase his numbers as well. Arnett Gardens have been a shadow of themselves for most of the season and it will take a lot of character and all the motivational powers of coach Glendon 'Admiral' Bailey who could be jumping ship.

Seba United, Arnett Gardens' opponents, are another team which promised much at the beginning of the season, especially with the acquisition of coach Geoffrey Maxwell. Unfortunately, there was little improvement in the playing personnel and they have struggled all season. The one bright spark has been the energy and play of the veteran Theodore Whitmore.

Like Arnett Gardens, Waterhouse have been beset by problems, especially in the third round of this season. Having lost their way towards the end of the second round, they also lost their coach, Barrington 'Cobra' Gaynor, recently.

Their biggest problem has been an inability to find the back of the net since the departure of Kevin Lamey to Malaysia and, with no Roberto Fletcher around, they have lacked aggression in the final third.

Wadadah, despite their certain relegation, have been showing a lot of fortitude of late and may just have enough to trouble Waterhouse on their own ground.

On Wednesday, Boys' Town demolished one of their neighbours, Arnett Gardens, 3-1 and will be hoping for a similar result against another, Tivoli Gardens, today.

More motivated

Tivoli Gardens have always been difficult opponents for Boys' Town and today should be no different. In comparison to Arnett Gardens, they are much more motivated and united. Additionally, the higher up the table they finish, the greater their prize money will be at the end of the season.

August Town have looked good, especially in the third round of the competition, since the arrival of coach Hugh McCarthy and not even Harbour View have outclassed them this round.

If there is a team with the potential to do that it is Portmore United with the likes of Wolry Wolfe, Kevin Deerr, Mario Swaby, the veteran Oneil McDonald and, of course, goalkeeper Shawn Sawyers.

In Jermaine Richards and Daniel Shaw, August Town have good players, but they will need all the help they can get in order to win.

Today's games

Portmore vs. August Town at Ferdie Neita Park - 3:30 p.m.
Tivoli vs. Boys' Town at Edward Seaga Stadium - 3:30 p.m.
Arnett Gardens vs. Seba at Anthony Spaudling Sports Complex - 5:00 p.m.
Reno vs. Naggo Head Harbour View vs. Village at Harbour View - 4:00 p.m.
Waterhouse vs. Wadadah at Waterhouse - 3:30 p.m.