Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer

WEEK THREE of the Wray and Nephew National Premier League will be highlighted by the clash between defending champions Waterhouse and former champions and year-to-year favourites Portmore United. That game is set for 6:00 p.m. at the Waterhouse Stadium.

While both teams are at different ends of the table, there is not much difference between them in terms of the talent level. Waterhouse are one of three teams with a 100 per cent win record having stopped newcomers August Town and Tivoli Gardens, while Portmore United lost to Seba United and drew 0-0 with August Town.

Fully aware that matches are not played by past results, Waterhouse coach Barrington 'Cobra' Gaynor is bracing for a tough match-up.

"This will be a difficult game as we are going up against a disciplined and organised team with quality individuals, such as Onandi Lowe and Anthony Modeste," Gaynor said.

Talented team

Waterhouse too are a talented team with the likes of national representatives Demar Phillips, Desmond Breakenridge and Kevin Lamey. The men of the moment, however, are maturing central midfielder Vincent Earle and hard-running Roberto Fletcher who is averaging a goal a game.

What could be a concern for Waterhouse is the absence of two key defenders - Marco McDonald, who earned a red card in the win over Tivoli Gardens, and Craig White, who picked up an injury in the same game. Gaynor, however, expressed confidence that he has quality players to replace them.

The expectations of the home fans could be a negative for some teams, but for Gaynor this is not so.

"Usually there is pressure at home because the expectations are high. The players, though, I believe, will relish the challenge," he said.

The odds may be stacked against Portmore United, but coach Paul Young sees today's game as a chance to prove their quality and start their season. Only a win could help them to do that.

"We are going there for a win. We know they are a quality team, but we are going there to win, and to do that, we intend to score early and impose our style of play on the game," an upbeat Young said.

"We have to get our season started and we have not scored a goal as yet," he said.

To get the win, Young said he will be counting on the experience and quality of former national representative Lowe, Grenada international Anthony Modeste, current Jamaica representative Jason Morrison and the youthful Mario Swaby, Rafei Wolfe and Steven Morrissey. Shawn Sawyers, the best goalkeeper in the country, will also have a big role to play if Young is to get his heart's desire.

Other major games on today are the 4:00 p.m. clash of unbeaten teams Harbour View and Reno at Harbour View Stadium.

Despite instability from an administrative position, Reno have been getting the job done on the field. The partnership of Ricardo Scott and Kirk Wright seems to be working for Reno who have also been defensively sound even with the loss of Keneil Moodie to Seba United.

Harbour View have been finding the back of the net, having scored six goals in their two games, but have also conceded four, three in their first game against Naggo Head. If both teams play to form, it should be a shootout and one the fans will enjoy.

Western Jamaica and Montego Bay in particular should have a football feast when the rejuvenated rivals Seba United and Wadadah meet at Jarrett Park at 6:00 p.m. Both teams had the city iabuzz, winning their first games impressively which had the fans looking forward to this day. They both went down 1-0 in their second games, but that should not take away from the quality of this derby. The only pity is that one set of supporters could come away disappointed.

The Collie Smith Drive clash between Arnett Gardens and Boys' Town could go either way as Arnett have not started strongly and Boys' Town are weakened by red cards and injury. Tivoli Gardens should just get by Naggo Head, while if Village United maintain their composure, they should get their second win against August Town.

TODAY'S GAMES

Boys' Town vs Arnett Gardens at Collie Smith Drive - 3:30 p.m.

Tivoli Gardens vs Naggo Head at Edward Seaga Stadium - 3:30 p.m.

Village United vs August Town at Elliston Wakeland Centre - 3:30 p.m.

Wadadah vs Seba United at Jarrett Park - 6:00 p.m.

Harbour View vs Reno at Harbour View Mini-Stadium - 4:00 p.m.

Waterhouse vs Portmore United - 6:00 p.m.