Adrian Frater, News Editor

WESTERN BUREAU:

THE RESCHEDULED match-up between Reno and Rivoli United, which was initially slated for last Sunday but was postponed in the wake of death of Rivoli United's Enrico Beech, will be today's lone game in the Digicel Premier League.

Beech, who was an integral part of the Rivoli United, was shot and seriously injured by gunmen, who reportedly kicked off the door of his Spanish Town home and opened fire on him. He succumbed to his injuries in hospital.

Fresh from victories in their last outings, both Rivoli United, who have had only two wins this season, and Reno who have only one win, are desperately in need of points and should be going all out to take maximum points from this game.

Reno, in 10th place in the 12-team competition on nine points, had six consecutive draws before notching their first win of the season - a 2-1 victory over Village United in their last outing which was played at today's venue.

Hope for better

Reno's technical director, Wendell Downswell, now hopes better times are ahead.

"Now, that we have finally won a game, we are hoping that this win will be the beginning of a successful streak," said Downswell, whose team has one win, six draws and one defeat in eight games. "It is not that we have not been playing well, it was that we were just not getting the results."

Rivoli United, who need to refocus and put Beech's death behind them, will be hoping to recapture the form that gave them a 1-0 win over St Georges United, who were on a high at the time, coming off a 2-1 win against champions Portmore United.

Before their win against St Georges, Rivoli's coach, Anthony Thompson, expressed serious reservations about the team, which had gone four rounds of matches without a win.

"There is a need for some drastic changes in this team because the players are not applying themselves well," Thompson said, following a heart-breaking 3-2 loss to Village United. "I know we are capable of winning games, but much more commitment is needed from the players."

With their recent win against St Georges, the Rivoli outfit, which now sits in 11th place with two wins, one draw and five defeats, must be seriously thinking of putting in an extra effort to move out of the relegation zone.

Talented players

In their quest for victory, Rivoli will be hoping that players, such as Alwin Morgan, Devon Hodges and Fidel Anderson, who have been leading their charge this season, will come good on the lush green turf at the Frome Sports Ground.

However, Reno's Nicholi Findlayson, Fabian Blake and in-form striker Garfield McIntosh might have other ideas.