Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer

A NUMBER of interesting matches are on today in the Cash Plus Premier League, but top billing should go to the Drewsland clash which features fourth-place Waterhouse hosting leaders, Tivoli Gardens.

Historically, matches between these teams have been competitive and attractive. Today should be no different.

Having disposed of previous leaders Portmore United and the team that defeated them in the end-of-round final, Tivoli Gardens have become the team with the bull's eye on their backs.

While lacking the financial muscle to match Portmore United and Harbour View, Tivoli Gardens have managed to fashion a quality team with a blend of experienced players such as Christopher Jackson, Victor Thompson, Craig Stewart, Dwight Heron, Oraine Simpson and Denroy Gordon, along with youngsters Navion Boyd and the soon-to-depart Horace Howell.

Even with Kasai Hines injured and Steve Green coming off the bench, Tivoli Gardens have responded to coach Glendon 'Admiral' Bailey's urgings by even improving their away form.

Dean available

Today, Bailey expects no less a performance from his charges who will be boosted by the availability of Roland Dean.

Waterhouse, after underachieving in the first round, have got back on course since the return of Wayne Fairclough eight games ago."At all times when Waterhouse and Tivoli Gardens meet, it is always of utmost importance regardless of the position that both teams are in. Tomorrow is another of those games," Fairclough observed ahead of today's clash.

In their last game, Waterhouse drew 1-1 away to Boys' Town and in the process dropped two points and slipped a place to fourth in the standings, but Fairclough is unworried. His charges, he said, will be ready.

Full strength squad

Besides Irvino English, who earned a red card in the last game, Waterhouse will have a full-strength squad to choose from. Jomo Gordon, Brian Wollaston, Damion Powell, Weston Forrest, goalkeeper Richard McCallum, Desmond Breakenridge and Kevin Lamey should be the key players.

Some amount of buzz is also expected to be created off the field as, according to sources, a new sponsor for the Waterhouse team will be announced at half-time and there will be giveaways beginning at 3:30.

Another key match-up is the Seba United-Portmore game at Jarrett Park. Second-place Portmore United travel to Montego Bay to face the sixth-place team and one which promised much in the first round but fell away towards the end of it and the early part of the second round.

A 2-0 win over August Town in mid-week should help Seba's confidence somewhat and increase the desire of the fickle home fans to come out and watch a good game.

Regained footing

Portmore, despite their obvious talent, have performed well below par in the second round and have only regained their footing in their last two games. Those games they won 2-0 and 5-0 respectively - albeit against Village United and August Town, the bottom two teams in the league.

Brancourt will be the site of the clash of the promoted teams. St Georges are in a comfortable position in fifth place on 26 points while Sporting Central, despite operating in the talent-rich parish of Clarendon, are sitting perilously close to the drop zone on 19 points with just the trio of Arnett Gardens, August Town and Village United below them.

Last week was an eventful one for Arnett Gardens. They replaced coach Max Straw with Jerome Waite, the man who has brought them the most success at this level and promptly got a win - a controversial and debatable one. Today, they host August Town, the team they hurdled to eke their way out of the drop zone.

August Town have not looked convincing this round. Daniel Shaw has almost single-handedly delivered the goods for them this season, but he will need a lot of help and soon.

Defending champions Harbour View have been playing of late like the team they are - top contenders. That kind of play is expected to continue, especially as the strike partnership of Fabian Taylor and Kavin Bryan is back in business.

If they report in the best form along with veteran Oneil McDonald and company, Boys' Town will be unable to match them.

STANDINGS

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