Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer

AFTER A short break due to international action, the Cash Plus Premier League (CPPL) gets going again today with a full slate of matches headlined by the clash of the second and third-placed teams, Harbour View and Portmore United.

They met close to a week ago in the Caribbean Club Championships. On that occasion, Harbour View were triumphant and eventually went on to become the top club in the region. The wound of the loss would still be raw for Portmore United and vengeance should be on their mind today.

Despite that being the case, yesterday both teams bonded as one as they paid tribute to the patriarch of the Wolfe family, who fathered sons representing both teams. The eldest of the Wolfe brothers, Wolry, plays for Portmore United, while younger sibling Kemeel suits up for Harbour View. Rafe, the youngest of the trio, still has ties to Portmore United but plays in the Belgian Third Division.

Level field

On the field today, neither team can be given the edge. In Kavin Bryan and Fabian Taylor, Harbour View are in possession of perhaps the most dangerous strike partnership in the country, and they can expect support from the likes of Jermaine Hue, Robert Scarlett, Keith Kelly and Donald Stewart. Coach Lenworth Hyde would expect that unit to lead the battle charge.

For Portmore United, Onandi Lowe still has a lot to offer and may even still be good enough to challenge for a place in the national squad. Also available to coach Linval Dixon are Kevin Deerr, Steven Morrissey, Mario Swaby, Anthony Modeste, Tyrone Sawyers, Duwayne Kerr and Shawn Sawyers.

At the Tony Spaulding Sports Complex, leaders Seba United, idle for the past two rounds due to the unavailability of Harbour View and Portmore United, meet Arnett Gardens.

The game will mark the first outing of interim national coach Theodore Whitmore since leading Jamaica to two wins over Central American opposition. While the talent level on display on those days should be generally superior to that on show today, a win over the Whitmore-coached Seba United could see bragging rights going to Arnett Gardens' Max Straw.

Reno will hope to finally get their season going today when they host August Town at STETHS. After an impressive run in the second and final round of the competition, much was expected of the Westmoreland team this season, but they have so far not delivered. Besides the departure of the mountain of a goalkeeper, Duwayne Kerr, to G.C. Foster and Portmore United and Mario Harrison to Waterhouse, not much has changed in terms of personnel at Reno.

Quality leadership

With Wendell Donswell and Aaron Lawrence now back in combination at the helm, the form of the team should improve as it did last season with the increased involvement of Downswell. In Kirk Wright, Fabian Blake, Ricardo Scott, Kendri Quarrie and Nicholi Findlayson they should get quality leadership and production on the field.

August Town sit one place above 11-placed Reno and have a game in hand. In Rollin Francis and Zico Herrera they have good competitive players.

After going down to their fellow promoted team, St. Georges, Sporting Central will be hoping to get back to winning ways against the still winless Village United who are sitting almost hopelessly at the bottom of the table.

On form, Sporting Central are expected to win if the likes of goalscorer Oneke Ford, the veteran Winston Griffiths and company show up to play in front of their home crowd. Coach Kevin Williams will also be aiming to get a win over his former club.

TODAY'S GAMES

5:00 p.m. - Arnett Gardens vs Seba at Anthony Spaulding Complex

3:00 p.m. - Reno vs August Town at STETHS

3:00 p.m. - Sporting Central vs Village United at Brancourt

4:00 p.m. - Waterhouse vs St. Georges at Drewsland

5:00 p.m. - Tivoli Gardens vs Boys' Town at Edward Seaga Complex

6:30 p.m. - Harbour View vs. Portmore at Harbour View