WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
Boys' Town's loyal fans, pictured here in their new stand at Collie Smith Drive, will be on the march today when their side plays top-of-the-table Harbour View away in one of the day's feature games.
Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer
IN TODAY'S 21st week on competition in the 2005-2006 Wray and Nephew National Premier League there are a number of interesting matches on, but those that immediately catch the eye are the Waterhouse/Portmore clash and the Harbour View/Boys' Town match-up.
Seventh-placed Boys' Town are on a high right now following back-to-back wins at home over Rivoli and Portmore United and no doubt would be intent on getting a hat-trick of wins today. The only trouble is that they are going up against Harbour View, the top team in the land and a side 11 points ahead of nearest rivals, Waterhouse.
While Boys' Town have won their past two games, the runaway leaders appear to be slipping a bit as they drew their past two matches, 1-1 and 2-2 against Rivoli and Waterhouse respectively. Both those matches were played away from Harbour View and were before the return of marksman Fabian Taylor and the signing of Lenworth Hyde Jr.
In the first meeting between the two teams, Harbour View came out 1-0 winners and today the hungry Boys' Town will be seeking to make amends and will be looking to the likes of captain Fitzroy Anglin, O'neil Thompson and George Vernal to inspire them against the talent-rich Harbour View with Luton Shelton, Lovel Palmer and company.
In the other big game of the day, Waterhouse, having already qualified for the end of second round final, will be aiming to keep the pressure on Harbour View while keeping the other teams such as defending champions Portmore behind them.
"We need to win this one to stay as close to Harbour View as possible. The resolve is to win and continue winning," said Waterhouse coach Wayne Fairclough ahead of today's game.
NO EASY WIN
While they will be playing at home, a win will not be the easiest thing to achieve as they will be without their top two strikers in Kevin Lamey, the man who fired Waterhouse to a 1-0 win in the first round, and the injured Jomo Gordon. Never a pessimistic person, Fairclough is confident that the replacement forwards will get the job done.
"There are other people in training and I believe that they can be just as efficient. They are being paid to do a job and I expect them to come out and perform," said Fairclough, who kept his cards close to his chest.
Portmore's Paul Young, whose charges have disappointed in the past two games despite the addition of even more quality talent, is expecting the usual tough game against Waterhouse.
"Both teams always bring out the best in each other and that is what will happen. Hopefully there will be good football with a number of goals," said Young.
Aesthetics aside, Young is looking for a win.
"Waterhouse is a place where we have had mixed results, but we will stay focused and go for what we want which is three points. If we do not get the three points, then we will settle for the one," said the man who guided Portmore to last season's title.
Expected to suit up for Portmore today are former national representatives Onandi Lowe, Christopher Dawes as well as current players Omar Daley and Tyrone Sawyers. Kevin Deerr, Wolry Wolfe and Jason Morrison who have had stints with the national team should also figure.
Waterhouse will be able to call on Desmond Breakenridge, Demar Phillips, Damion Williams, Irvino English and Damion Powell, all of whom have had national action. The improving Vincent Earle is expected to marshall the midfield.
In other games, Village United should increase their points tally with a win over Wadadah. Seba United could just have the edge over the unlucky Constant Spring while Rivoli could stretch Tivoli at Prison Oval.
Arnett Gardens are in disarray and if they do not get their heads together then a motivated Reno could take the three points.
STANDINGS
| P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| H. View | 20 | 16 | 2 | 2 | 35 | 11 | 24 | 50 |
| Waterhouse | 20 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 32 | 20 | 12 | 39 |
| Village | 20 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 33 | 24 | 9 | 33 |
| Portmore | 20 | 7 | 10 | 3 | 27 | 17 | 10 | 31 |
| Tivoli | 20 | 8 | 4 | 8 | 33 | 26 | 7 | 28 |
| Arnett | 20 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 24 | 27 | -3 | 28 |
| Boys' Town | 20 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 19 | 19 | 0 | 26 |
| Seba United | 20 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 24 | 31 | -7 | 22 |
| Reno | 20 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 15 | 16 | -1 | 20 |
| Wadadah | 20 | 4 | 5 | 11 | 16 | 32 | -16 | 17 |
| Rivoli | 20 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 14 | 34 | -20 | 14 |
| C. Spring | 20 | 1 | 10 | 9 | 15 | 30 | -15 | 13 |
TODAY'S GAMES
Arnett Gardens vs Reno at Tony Spaulding Sports Complex - 3:30 p.m. Seba United vs C. Spring at Jarrett Park -3:30 p.m. Village United vs Wadadah at Elleston Wakeland Centre - 3:00 p.m. Rivoli vs Tivoli at Prison Oval - 3:00 p.m. Harbour View vs Boys' Town at Harbour View - 6:00 p.m. Waterhouse vs Portmore at Waterhouse Stadium - 5:30 p.m.
