- FILE
Portmore United's Ryan Powell (left) skips a challenge from Tivoli's Waheem Walker in Wray and Nephew Premier League final action earlier this year. The teams renew their rivalry today at Edward Seaga Stadium.
Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer
DESPITE THE engagement of the national football team in a friendly last night with Guatemala in the United States, there will still be a full set of matches today in the Wray and Nephew National Premier League but for the Wadadah/Reno game.
That match has been postponed due to the unavailability of Jarrett Park.
On today are two mouth-watering clashes, the first of which which will see two teams, Arnett Gardens and Boys' Town, on different ends of the same street doing battle in the Collie Smith Drive derby. Sadly, the game which was supposed to be played at Boys' Town's home ground had to be shifted to Constant Spring as rain prevented the completion of work being done to make the venue ready.
DEEPER SQUAD
Heading into this game, the higher-ranked Arnett Gardens are expected to have a deeper squad and the edge as they have more players seasoned in the Premier League. Boys' Town, despite just earning their re-entry into the NPL after a 10-year absence, have always played with pride and determination. They too have experienced players such as Kirk Porter, Fabian Watkins, the veteran Fitzroy Anglin and Marvin Morgan.
While Arnett Gardens will count on the ability and experience of Everton Bunsie, goalkeeper Julian McLeish, Gerald Neil, Kwame Richardson, Jermaine Benjamin and the new striker Greg Taylor who is on a goalscoring run, Boys' Town have competed well against more fancied teams and have shown that they belong.
In the other top game of the day being played at the Edward Seaga Stadium, the only unbeaten team in the competition, Portmore United, will go up against the home team, Tivoli Gardens.
Both teams are on the same number of points (nine) but Portmore are ahead, in second place, while Tivoli Gardens are fourth behind Arnett Gardens, also on nine points. In their last game, Portmore were held 0-0 by Boys' Town at Ferdie Neita Park but coach Paul Young is confident his players will produce the goods today.
IN GOOD SPIRITS
"Our players are in good spirits and ready for this game. I know this game will be tough but we will take the fight to them and not allow them to settle," said Young.
"We have done reasonably well, but we know we can do better and we are not satisfied. Tivoli Gardens were the champions last year before we became the champions this year. It is always a tough battle between the two teams whether it be at Tivoli or at Ferdie Neita Park," he added.
Tivoli's manager, Brian Rose, like Young, is expecting a tough battle and is equally confident.
"It will be very hard fought," said Rose adding,"I understand that Portmore have got back some of their senior players and they will be in the squad but for our part we will have to play hard and show the commitment that is required to win."
The players Rose speaks of are last season's captain Kevin Deerr, Kemeel Wolfe, O'neil McDonald and Mario Swaby.
Young too indicated that the players had returned but did not say they would definitely play.
PLAYERS BACK FROM US
"The players who were in the United States are back but we are yet to decide on the squad that will play," said Young.
Both teams will be hoping that key players return injury-free from the United States this morning following the Guatemala friendly. Tivoli Gardens have the exciting duo of Jermaine Johnson and last season's leading scorer Christopher Nicholas, while Portmore have goalkeeper Shawn Sawyers as well as midfielders Omar Daley and Jason Morrison.
"If our two players, Nicholas and Johnson, are injury free when they return they will be in the team," said Rose.
Outside of the above mentioned players, Portmore will be able to call on the services of Anthony Modeste, Chris Dawes, Tyrone Sawyers, Ryan Powell, Demar Stewart and Leon Williams. Tivoli will have Kasai Hinds, Waheem Walker, Orane Simpson, Victor Thompson and Roland Dean at their service.
STANDINGS
| P | W | D | L | | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| Harbour View | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 11 | | | 4 | | 7 | 12 |
| Portmore | 5 | | 2 | 3 | 0 | | | 6 | | | 3 | | 3 | 9 |
| Waterhouse | | 5 | | 3 | 0 | 2 | | | 6 | | | 4 | | 2 | 9 |
| Arnett Gardens | | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | | | 5 | | | 4 | | 1 | 9 |
| Tivoli Gardens | | 5 | | 3 | 0 | 2 | | | 6 | | | 5 | | 1 | 9 |
| Village | | 5 | | 1 | 3 | 1 | | | 6 | | | 4 | | 2 | 6 |
| Boys' Town | | 4 | | 1 | 2 | 1 | | | 3 | | | 2 | | 1 | 5 |
| Rivoli | | 5 | | 1 | 2 | 2 | | | 4 | 6 | | -2 | 5 |
| Reno | 4 | | 1 | 1 | 2 | | | 3 | | | 3 | | 0 | 4 |
| Seba | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | | | 6 | 9 | | 3 | 4 |
| Wadadah | 5 | | 1 | 1 | 3 | | | 6 | 12 | -6 | 4 |
| Constant Spring | 5 | 0 | 3 | 2 | | 2 | | 5 | -3 | 3 |
TODAY'S GAMES
Waterhouse vs Constant Spring at Waterhouse Stadium - 5:00 p.m.Tivoli Gardens vs Portmore at Edward Seaga Stadium 5:00 p.m.Boys' Town vs Arnett Gardens at Constant Spring 3:30 p.m.Harbour View vs Seba at Harbour View Stadium - 6:30 p.m.Rivoli United vs Village United at Prison Oval 4:00 p.m.
