Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer

THE NATIONAL Premier League will continue today, despite the absence of a sponsor, with a full schedule of matches.

In action are leaders Portmore United, who host third-from-bottom and relegation threatened former powerhouses Arnett Gardens. The once-mighty 'Junglists' only sit above Reno of Westmoreland because of goal difference. Based on the recent form of both teams, only a brave man would bet on Arnett Gardens getting the better of a Portmore squad so deep it could field three competitive teams in the league. Reno should have a better chance against Seba United, despite the fact they travel to face the side which had the best run of form early in the first round.

In the two times that they have met this season, Reno have won one and Seba the other. What Reno have going for them is the return and form for national representatives O'Brian Woodbine and Nicholy Findlayson. With these two players in Reno's lineup, they always look a better team.

Mental, physical toughness

Seba United have always benefitted from the mental and physical toughness that Keniel Moodie bring to their defence and if the likes of Daniel Ricketts, Delroy Ellis, Ricardo Geddes and Edward Campbell show up to play, then Seba could well have their way. While coach Paul 'Tegat' Davis will not admit it, he must now be pretty sure that his, Village United, will avoid relegation. What will make that belief a fact is a win over Waterhouse, the side against which they started their unbeaten run in the second round of the competition.

In that game, goalkeeper Richard McCallum suffered a hand injury and had to be replaced, while Village played like a team possessed to beat the home team 2-0.

A win for Village today would cement their position in sixth place if the combative August Town can get the better of Sporting Central and even improve their own chances of avoiding the drop.

Harbour View are 14 points off the leaders but still believe that fourth place is much too low for them. Outside of Portmore United, Harbour Hiew have the deepest team in the league and one could justly describe the Caribbean club champions as underachievers. In Jermaine Hue they still have an individual who can turn on the magic at any stage, and if given the support by his teammates, Harbour View should get the better of the second-place team.

Tivoli surprises

Tivoli Gardens have punched above their weight all season. Not many people fancied them at the beginning when coach Glendon 'Admira' Bailey took an extended leave without explanation. Many thought his charges would have struggled but they did not. In Navion Boyd, Christopher Jackson, Dwight Heron, Oraine Simpson, Edsel Scott and the ageless Craig Stewart, they found players willing to give their all for the club. If they play as they have for most of the season, there is no reason why they should not shrug off their loss to Boys' Town and stop Harbour View.

At Lynch Park, Boys' Town will be aiming to continue their rise when they tackle St. Georges. One of the leading teams in the third round, Boys' Town have improved significantly since the transfer window opened in January when they added George Vernal, Renae Lloyd and Denzil Watson. Only last week they stopped neighbours Tivoli Gardens 2-1, while St. Georges played to a 1-1 draw with Waterhouse.

STANDINGS

		P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts

Portmore	31	16	10	5	44	21	23	58
Tivoli	31	17	5	9	39	33	6	56
Boys' Twn	31	11	14	6	26	24	2	47
H View	31	10	14	7	37	30	7	44
W'house	31	10	13	8	36	33	3	43
Village	31	9	11	11	30	2	-2	38
Sporting C 31	9	11	11	35	41	-6	38
St. Georges 31	9	9	13	35	35	0	36
Seba.	31	9	9	13	37	42	-5	36
Arnett	31	5	17	9	29	31	-2	32
Reno	31	6	13	11	35	46	-11	32
August T	31	7	9	15	31	47	-16	30

TODAY'S GAMES

3:30 p.m. St. Georges vs Boys' Town at Lynch Park

3:30 p.m. Village United vs Waterhouse at Elliston Wakeland Centre

3:30 p.m. August Town vs Sporting Central at UWI

6:30 p.m. Seba United vs Reno at Jarrett Park

7:00 p.m. Portmore United vs Arnett Gardens at Ferdie Neita Park

6:30 p.m. Harbour View vs Tivoli Gardens at Harbour View Mini-Stadium