Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer
THE CREDIBILITY of Village's transformation will be further tested this afternoon when they face Seba United in a western Jamaica derby at Jarrett Park. Kick off is 6:00 p.m.
Of the two teams, Seba United have had the better results overall and threatened to be one of the top teams in the country, especially after their first-round performance under the inventive Theodore Whitmore.
They failed to qualify for the end-of-round final and have not managed to regain those heights and have been stuck just about in the middle of the table.
Village had a stranglehold on the bottom of the table until the arrival of Paul 'Tegat' Davis who has presided over a gradual improvement which now sees them just out of a relegation position.
Village United are ninth, five behind sixth-place Seba United following a win over August Town and coach Davis is eager to stretch his team's unbeaten run to seven but will not take its current form for granted.
"We will approach this game as we normally do. Our intention is to get three points and this one will be no different," Davis said, adding that is terms of results between the teams Seba have the upper hand.
In the two meetings so far this season, Seba took the first 3-2 at Jarrett Park and the second ended 0-0 at Elliston Wakeland Centre.
"Looking at the frame of mind of my players, I believe they are ready to turn that those results around. I think they are at a point now where they truly realise where we are and what we have to do. We are still in the relegation fight and we want to improve ourselves," he said.
Among those who could transform that hope into reality are goalkeeper Ryan Cooper, whose arrival coincides with the team's unbeaten run, as well as Fabian Dawkins, Omar Allen, Leon Irving, Ian McAnuff and captain Troy Smith.
On a high
Seba United are in no mood to surrender their superiority and position as the top team in the west.
"This is a very crucial game for us seeing that Village were on the low and are on a high right now. Obviously something that 'Tegat' is doing is right but we are confident in our own abilities and believe that we will get the job done," said assistant coach Norman Foster, who doubles as a player and the one pulling the strings with Whitmore in Brazil on national duties.
In addition to Whitmore, Seba will be without their defensive rock Keniel Moodie but Foster has enough confidence in the remaining players.
"Our defence will be missing Moodie but the others are capable and will give of their best. I have that confidence in them and overall we are ready to go. Overall, we have good players who are capable of getting the job done for us and we are optimistic," Foster added.
Creative midfielder Mario Samuels who is trying to grow into the role vacated by Whitmore, Ricardo Geddes, Delroy Ellis, Kemar Mills, Edward Campbell and Seian McNish should play important roles for Seba.
Arnett Gardens will host Tivoli Gardens in another match up of rivals. Tivoli Gardens have the better position, second, in the standings but Arnett Gardens may have bragging rights following their 4-0 demolition of Tivoli in the Jackie Bell Knockout, the last time the teams met.
The absence of Orane Simpson, Christopher Jackson and Navion Boyd to national duty may weaken Tivoli Gardens while the inclusion of a rejuvenated Onandi Lowe and Fabian Davis, also a former Tivoli Gardens player, may boost the home team.
Impressive line-up
Outside of Village United, Boys' Town have been the most impressive team since the start of the third round and should fancy their chances against Reno at STETHS.
George Vernal, Renae Lloyd and Denzil Watson have lifted Boys' Town, while the loss of Nicholi Findlayson, the team's leading scorer and 'Brian' Woodbine to the Brazil tour should handicap the now relegation battlers even with the motivational powers of Wendel Downswell.
A win for Sporting Central over Waterhouse would definitely strengthen their chances of survival, while Waterhouse must still be entertaining thoughts of taking the title.
Portmore United showed their strength in depth with a powerful 4-2 win over Tivoli Gardens at the Edward Seaga Stadium minus eight of their regular players and St. Georges are not expected to reverse that process.
August Town remain confident that they will survive the drop but they can expect no assistance from Harbour View who have designs of their own.
The defending champions see themselves as better than fifth and anything but a convincing win would not send the right message ahead of their CONCACAF club match against DC United later in the week.
Today's games
3:30 p.m. - Arnett Gardens vs Tivoli Gardens at Anthony Spaulding Complex
3:30 p.m. - Reno vs Boys' Town at STETHS
3:30 p.m. - Sporting Central Academy vs Waterhouse at Brancourt
6:30 p.m. Seba United vs Village United at Jarrett Park
6:30 p.m. - Portmore United vs St. Georges at Ferdie Neita Park
3:30 p.m. - August Town vs Harbour View at UWI
