Audley Boyd, Assistant Editor - Sport

( L - R ) Portmore's Morrissey, Tivoli's Dean, Harbour View's Blackburn

BATTLES among old foes at Drewsland and Harbour View Mini Stadium will headline today's seventh round schedule in the Digicel Premier League.

Only five matches are on the cards, the sixth between Sporting Central and Village United shifted a day later because of a scheduled schoolboy football daCosta Cup match at Brancourt today.

Neither Waterhouse and Reno, nor Harbour View and Arnett Gardens, are thinking about that, all four intent on maximising points to boost already lofty or lowly standing in the 12-team championship.

Looking forward to their 7 p.m. fixture out east, Harbour View Football Club assistant coach, Donovan Hayles, reckons "... it's going to be a tough game".

"Arnett are on the rebound and once they get the start they needed it'll make them a dangerous customer," he pointed out. "But we'll be at home and we'll be hell-bent on getting the three points. Our team is full of confidence and certainly, we won't be complacent against Arnett Gardens."

Fourth win

One of two unbeaten teams, Harbour View secured a league-leading fourth win at tough Boys' Town to stretch its lead on Sunday, moving to 14 points. Marcelino Blackburn, for the second game running, came off the bench to fire in the match-winner and keep the team on a streak that Lovel Palmer started on a goal-a-game ration.

Arnett are at the other end of the table on four points, battling back somewhat after a terrible start during which they lost their first four matches, albeit by a goal. Goalscoring was their main problem and they appear to have revisited that trend when playing goalless with Reno Sunday.

"We were a bit unlucky not to put away our chances," bemoaned player/coach Fabian Davis. "That has been killing us all season."

With Harbour View scoring fairly well - nine goals already - they will need to buck that trend to survive this tough clash.

Changing recent form is also top of Waterhouse's agenda. After going unbeaten while winning three of their four matches, back-to-back road losses to Village at Jarrett Park and Tivoli have kept Waterhouse on 10 points and two places off the lead.

Winning ways

With new signing Jermaine 'Tuffy' Anderson holding his end of the bargain by scoring at almost every turn, coach Wayne Fairclough is hopeful they will return to winning ways by improving on defence.

"... Our defensive unit is not the way we want it right now, with two of our main defenders out injured, so that has contributed to our situation," he assessed.

"However, we have been getting goals so what we are looking to do is shore up our defensive midfield and make-do with our back line."

While technical director Wendell Downswell anticipates a difficult challenge, Reno, though, won't be too accommodating as they are looking to change gears from a steady start with five points from as many draws, which has left them fourth from bottom.

Pointing to the even finishes Downswell whose team comprises much youthful talent in Obrian Woodbine, Keneil Moodie and Evan Taylor to go along with Nicholy Findlayson, noted their enhanced focus.

"Most of the emphasis has been on organising our defence. We're pretty satisfied with that now," he said. "The emphasis now is on our offensive. For this game we're looking forward to some improvements."

Reflecting on their position, he added: "That is one of the emphasis and that is why we're looking to change gears now ... we'd like to gain a positive result in this one. We'll be working overtime to try and get a positive result."

That end, will be the order of the day at Tivoli, who'll battle opponents whose name sounds a rhythmical tune. Rivoli, though, have had a rather tough time while suffering four losses and with their coach, Anthony Thompson sounding the death-knell after their Sunday defeat to Village in MoBay, Tivoli's Lenworth Hyde Sr is on edge and wary of the visitors.

Tough game

"It's gonna be a tough game, seeing that they lost the last game, they'll be looking to recoup that loss," he said. "One other thing about Rivoli, they've been scoring goals so defensively we've to be disciplined."

The west Kingston-based league runners-up last season have only conceded thrice and having got a double to win Sunday, with Roland Dean again on the scoresheet, they will be looking to lift their game and their nine points.

"My team is getting into the attacking mode some more, we're playing better going forward," he said.

Of top talent kept out because of pre-season arrivals, he added: "Christopher Jackson, Oraine Simpson and Boyd (Navion), all those players are eligible to play now ... this evening is our final session so we'll be looking to get them into the team as of tomorrow. They've done their six weeks."

Rivoli capitulated after leading again to lose Sunday, leaving Thompson upset and promising changes.

Drastic changes

"We will have to make some drastic changes because some of the players are not pulling their weight and are letting down the team."

Though they were held scoreless at home Sunday, defending champions Portmore United, while recognising the need for a three-point finish, are not panicking ahead of their clash with Geoffrey Maxwell's steadily-improving Portland bunch, who have drawn four times and won for the first time Sunday.

"We've not been scoring, though we've been creating the chances. That still gives us some confidence for our next fixture," reasoned technical director, Donovan Duckie, whose front-line includes Steven Morrissey. "We just have to be patient because there are a lot of positives that we can still take from the last games. We've not given up a goal and as long as we don't concede it means we're in a good position to win."

He coached St Georges to Premier League promotion and expects a hard grind.

"They're a tough set of players, with tough character. I've some respect for the players and I definitely know that they're not a set of guys that quit until the final whistle," he pointed out.

He added: "We're the defending champions and we want to be at the top of the standings. It's a league format and we don't want to be playing catch up. It's our home game and we'll be looking to win all three points."

Youthful Meadhaven's form is wretched, with four losses and two draws and could be easy pickings for a Boys' Town team that will hungrily hunt three points after losing on their much-revered home turf Sunday.

Today's matches

Portmore United vs St Georges at Ferdie Neita Park at 7 p.m.

Tivoli Gardens vs Rivoli United at Edward Seaga Sports Complex at 5 p.m.

Boys' Town vs Meadhaven United at Collie Smith Drive at 3:30 p.m.

Waterhouse vs Reno at Drewsland Mini Stadium at 4 p.m.

Harbour View vs Arnett Gardens at Harbour View Mini Stadium at 7 p.m.

Tomorrow's match

Sporting Central Academy vs Village United at Brancourt at 3:30 p.m.

Standings

Teams	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	Pts
H View	6	4	2	0	9	2	14
Portmore	6	3	3	0	6	2	12
Waterhouse	6	3	1	2	9	7	10
Boys' Town	6	2	3	1	7	6	9
Sporting	6	2	3	1	7	6	9
Tivoli	6	2	3	1	4	3	9
Village	6	2	2	2	8	12	8
St Georges	6	1	4	1	5	4	7
Reno	6	0	5	1	4	5	5
Rivoli	6	1	1	4	6	8	4
Arnett	6	1	1	4	2	5	4
Meadhaven	6	0	2	4	5	11	2