Hazard on the prowl
published: Sunday | January 5, 2003

Nodley Wright, Staff Reporter

TODAY'S Wray and Nephew National Premier League clash against the unbeatable-looking Hazard United could not come at a worst time for the defending champions Arnett Gardens.

Just when they are experiencing one of the worst slumps in a number of years they run into a team enjoying their richest form ever. Arnett, who are also the end of first round winners, have not won a game since beating promoted Rivoli 3-1 at the Spanish Town Prison Oval in the first game of the second round.

That was followed up by four consecutive draws and back to back 0-1 losses to Village United and Waterhouse at of all places their fortress Tony Spaulding Sports Complex which seems them in the unfamiliar position of eighth on seven points. At the other end Hazard are miles ahead of the competition with 21 points from seven games with 26 goals - just under four per game.

Arnett Gardens have perhaps the strongest fan base in the country and their supporters are expected to turn out in droves if not to will them on to witness quality football. For Arnett today's game is more about pride, bragging rights and arresting a round gone badly wrong and coach Jerome Waite has already conceded that there is no chance of making the end of second round final.

This game against against Last season's finalists Arnett and Hazard is one of five in the St. Catherine, Kingston and St Andrew football belt. All games kick off at 3:00 with the exception of the lone game out west between Seba United and Bull Bay at Jarrett Park. That kicks off at 6:00pm.

"We're up against the form team," said Jerome Waite declaring the obvious about a team which are the deepest in the country and which have put away each opposition in no uncertain terms and whose only loss was to the promoted Bull Bay in the first game of the season.

"They're in top shape and are averaging three goals per game," Waite added. "It will be a hot encounter but we're looking forward to it."

How much of that is like Earl "Boom Boom" Foskin before his recent boxing encounter in England is yet to be seen. Never has a boxer declared that he is outclassed or overmatched before a fight.

"Although my team has been having so many problems, I know they can have the better of the opposition," he said. "We still have one of the better defence units. We just need midfield to give us some work and you'll see the difference."

For today he will need more than a midfield resurgence. Besides the already injured Fabian Davis, Kwame Richardson and Eugene Barnes there are also worries about forward Walter Boyd and his strike partner Kevin Wilson, defender Oneil Dunn and utility player Jermaine Benjamin. Defender Alex Thomas will also be missing from this game as he got a red card against Waterhouse last week.

Luckily midfielder Cornel Chin-Sue who failed to show for last week's Waterhouse clash is back in the fold. Along with Chin-Sue the livewire Jonathan Williams will have to regain his electricity.

If midfield is where Arnett Gardens are expected to win the match that is where they will have their toughest fight. It is Hazard's greatest area of depth. Jamaica representatives Omar Daley, Wolry Wolfe and veteran Kevin Williams are the men most people will recognise but the one with the most influence in that area is the previously missing link - Grenadian Anthony Modeste. Modeste adds calm to an explosive midfield much in the way Chris Dawes did in his time with the club.

The forward pairing of Kevin Deerr and Roen Nelson need very little introduction. Deerr destroys defences and creates for Nelson the League's top marksman with 20 goals - double his nearest rival Kevin Wilson who has played a game more.

While Hazard have been reaping rich rewards in terms of goal that is where Waite said his team are lacking.

"Boyd and Wilson have been carrying injuries for a while and it has not been working so well," he explained. "Probably we have to look at it from a different perspective and give others a chance."

The thought of giving others a chance is nothing new for the defending champions. Infact that has been brought on by necessity but according to Waite they have not done their job.

"Those are the same ones saying they're getting a raw deal and when they get the chance they fall short," he added.

Hazard's Lenworth Hyde has had no such problems this round on his way reaching target of 11 games unbeaten which would fall one short of the final.

"Everybody's okay," Hyde said on Friday. "It's gonna be a tough game but we're going there to win. We're not watching what Arnett have been doing or their results. They can come good at any time," said the ever aware former national representative.

For Arnett Gardens to beat his team they will have to beat their best today and outrun the fittest team in the competition.

"We're going there to run 90 minutes," Hyde said. Maybe Arnett could outsmart them.

At Harbour View Mini Stadium Tivoli Gardens will attempt to beat the second best team in the country at the moment, to improve on their nine second round points and solidify their fourth place on the overall table.

TODAY'S GAMES