Nicholas, left, and Blackburn
Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer
THE BATTLE for places in the first end of round final for the 2005-2006 Wray and Nephew National Premier League intensifies today in this the penultimate round. A full schedule of matches are on with no fewer than five teams still in with a chance of getting in.
Harbour View, the leaders (21 points), have a breathing space of five points between them and their nearest rivals, Tivoli Gardens - the team they meet today at 6:30 pm. One point will today cement Harbour View's position in the end of round final but a loss followed by another in their outstanding fixture against Waterhouse could see them squeezed out as both Tivoli Gardens and Arnett Gardens could end up on a maximum of 22.
Tivoli Gardens are in good nick having recorded handsome back to back victories against the likes of Seba and Rivoli and cannot be counted out. Harbour View, however, cannot be seen in the same class as Seba and Rivoli and the fact that Tivoli's big win took place at home should be taken into consideration.
In Christopher Nicholas, five goals in the last two games, Jermaine Johnson, the improving duo of Orane Simpson and Waheem Walker Tivoli have match winners. They will be backed up by the solid defensive play of Kasai Hinds and company.
In their arsenal Harbour View have Luton Shelton, Lovel Palmer, Marcelino Blackburn, Kevin King and Leon Strickland to call on offensively while Jermaine Taylor and Alex Thomas should provide defensive stability.
ARNETT BATTLE PORTMORE
In the other big game of the day Arnett Gardens, third in the standings on goal difference behind Tivoli Gardens, host the only unbeaten team in the competition, Portmore United, who are a point behind. A midweek 0-2 loss to Wadadah at Jarrett Park saw Arnett Gardens slipping from pole position for a place in the end of round finals to hopefuls.
They are now faced with the task of defeating an opposition they have not had the easiest time against, in order to get back in the race.
"This game means everything to us. This is where we test our mettle against a quality team to determine whether or not we have what it takes to be champions," said coach Michael Tulloch who is overseeing a rebuilding exercise at the club.
DIFFICULT OPPONENTS
Portmore United, he acknow-ledged, are always difficult to beat having gotten the better of Arnett Gardens on a number of occasions on their home ground. Arnett to have beaten Portmore in Portmore so Tulloch reasoned that once his charges apply themselves victory is not out of reach.
"We have fully fit squad right now with (Kevin) Wilson, (Kwame) Richardson and Gregg Taylor all ready. (Everton) Bunsie is still there as well as Patrick Graham in midfield.
"The youngsters such as (Enrico) Beech, (Antholow) Dawkins and Taylor have been doing a wonderful job and I cannot praise them high enough," Tulloch added as he looked towards today's game.
Portmore's Paul Young has never been one lacking in confidence and he is no different ahead of today's game.
"We have a good record at Arnett and to preserve it an hopefully get a place in the end of round final, we have to work hard, be tactically disciplined and follow the game plan. We cannot allow them to get comfortable and play their brand of football," Young explained.
Like Arnett Gardens, Young's squad has no injury problems and should be firing on all cylinders. While Arnett lost on Thursday, two days before, Portmore defeated the same opponents 3-0 with a double from Kemeel Wolfe. The likes of Kevin Deerr and Mario Swaby are expected to offer equal if not a bigger bite.
PORTMORE'S THREAT
Add to that group the combative Omar Daley, the calming heads of Chris Dawes and Anthony Modeste, as well as national goalkeeper Shawn Sawyers and a better picture of Portmore's threat is presented.
But still Young who has presided over the only unbeaten team remaining in the league would have wanted more.
"Yes we are still the only unbeaten team in the league, but we would rather be where Harbour View are right now, but everything takes time. Hopefully we will get the three points on Sunday," he said.
In other games Waterhouse who also have a slim chance should have the edge over the competitive Boys' Town at Drewsland, while the Rivoli/Wadadah encounter could go either way at Prison Oval.
Constant Spring have not caused much trouble this season and that is not expected to change when they are hosted by Village today in the 3:30 fixture at Elleston Wakeland Centre. Seba United should be boosted by their win over Constant Spring but Reno are a tougher opposition. If Seba are to keep their fans behind them, they will need a win at Jarrett Park. Today would not be too early to deliver.
STANDINGS
| P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| H View | 9 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 16 | 6 | 10 | 21 |
| Tivoli | 9 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 16 | 10 | 6 | 16 |
| Arnett | 9 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 11 | 8 | 3 | 16 |
| Portmore | 9 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 13 | 7 | 6 | 15 |
| W'house | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 15 |
| Reno | 9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 12 |
| Village | 9 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 11 | 9 | 4 | 11 |
| Wadadah | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 15 | -6 | 11 |
| Boys' Town | 9 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 10 |
| Seba | 9 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 10 | 17 | -7 | 7 |
| Rivoli | 9 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 16 | -8 | 7 |
| C Spring | 9 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 14 | -9 | 4 |
TODAY'S GAMES
Waterhouse FC vs Boys' Town at Drewsland (5:00 p.m.)Harbour View FC vs Tivoli Gardens at Harbour View Mini-Stadium (6:30 p.m.)Rivoli United FC vs Wadadah FC at Prison Oval (4:00 p.m.)Village United FC vs Constant Spring FC at Elleston Wakeland (3:30 p.m.)Seba United FC vs Reno FC at Jarrett Park (6:00 p.m.)Arnett Gardens vs Portmore United FC at Tony Spaulding Sports Complex (5:00 p.m.)
