Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer

Harbour View'sKavin Bryan. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

WITH FIVE sets of matches including today's full schedule to play, it will take a very brave person to bet against leaders Harbour View winning the title.

Not only have the former champions been taking care of business, but they have also watched those closest to them lose the plot. In the most recent set of matches, second-place Portmore United were held to a 2-2 draw by Tivoli Gardens for their second successive stalemate. The first draw was with Harbour View in a game in which a win would have reduced Harbour View's advantage to a mere three points.

Those draws have seen Harbour View stretch their lead to eight points ahead of Portmore United. With Harbour View playing Seba United today, their chances seem easier. Even though coach Lenworth Hyde has made it clear that no team will be taken lightly and that anyone could cause an upset, a loss to or even a draw with Seba would not be tolerated.

Harbour View have the most potent attacking force, perhaps the best midfield unit and a defensive line not to be frowned upon. Perhaps their greatest asset is their goal-scoring prowess with the likes of Fabian Taylor, Kavin Bryan and Greg Taylor, if needed, to call on. Seba's Theodore Whitmore has been playing like a man possessed of late and if he reports in a similar form and those around him follow suit, then Harbour View could be made to work. Whatever mood Seba report in, Harbour View should have just about too much for them.

Easy job

Also making Harbour View's job easier are struggling Reno of Westmoreland who host the tough Boys' Town at STETHS. Even though Reno are yet to lose a match at this ground, anything could happen based on their form in the third round. Even if Reno were to win today, that would not be enough to cause Harbour View any worries as they are too far ahead.

Wadadah, which are set to take the drop with Naggo Head, should offer little resistance to Portmore United. The question will be not who will win but the margin of Portmore's victory. Unlike bottom-of-the-table Naggo Head who are fighting to the end, Wadadah appear to have lost that fire in their bellies.

Maybe the only thing that could motivate them at this point is the fear of finishing last.

Already Naggo Head have made it clear that they will get as much respect as they can despite the fact that they are going down.

Defending champions Water-house are among the four scalps that they have claimed in the league so far and a win over Village United at Elliston Wake-land Centre should not be out of their reach.

Of their four victories so far, three of them - including the Waterhouse win and both of those over Wadadah - have been away from home so that should not be a major factor for them. Village United have blown hot and cold all season and one is not sure what to expect.

Problems

Arnett Gardens, despite their problems, produced enough to hold the similarly troubled defending champions, Waterhouse, to a 0-0 draw on Wednesday but will need a similar if not improved effort to get the better of the competitive August Town. Coach Hugh McCarthy appears to have worked magic with this unit that will not go down lightly to any team it faces.

Any match-up between Tivoli Gardens and Waterhouse is expected to cause fireworks. Both teams hate to lose to each other and this may be the match-up that Waterhouse need to fire them up. With the likes of Irvino English, Vincent Earle and Jomo Gordon, Waterhouse have quality players. Tivoli Gardens themselves have players such as Fabian Davis, Lenworth Hyde Jr., Roland Dean, Christopher Jackson and Kasai Hinds who on their day could take over any football field. If either team is allowed to settle then the other could be in for trouble.

TODAY'S GAMES

Arnett Gardens vs. August Town at Tony Spaulding Sports Complex - 5:00 p.m.

Reno vs. Boys' Town at STETHS - 3:30 p.m.

Harbour View vs. Seba at Harbour View - 4:30 p.m.

Village United vs. Naggo Head at Elliston Wakeland Centre- 3:30 p.m.

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

Portmore United vs. Wadadah at Ferdie Neita Park - 3:30 p.m.