Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer
HAVING ALREADY lost to one of the Gardens, Arnett, Waterhouse will be hoping for better luck today against the other in this the second set of matches in the 2005-2006 Wray and Nephew National Premier League.
However, Waterhouse played their season opener away from home, but today they will be playing at home to an opponent that they have not lost to at this venue in two years. Coach Calvert Fitzgerald aims to keep things that way.
"We lost the first game so this one takes on added significance," Fitzgerald told The Gleaner yesterday. "This is a strict league system this year so if we intend to be a factor in the competition we have to start accumulating points," he said.
Boosting their thrust for a positive result today will be midfielder Weston Forrest who has been added to the Waterhouse squad. However, for them to get the better of Tivoli Gardens, who scraped through against Boys' Town on Sunday, they will need more than Forrest.
"One of the areas that we have to improve on is our defensive work to set plays. Both goals that we conceded to Arnett Gardens were from set plays so we will definitely have to do better against Tivoli," Fitzgerald explained.
DANGEROUS ATTACKING UNIT
Fitzgerald could not be more right as Tivoli Gardens have one of the most dangerous attacking units in the league. Any slippage in the opposing defensive area will be capitalised on. Besides Christopher Nicholas, there is Roland Dean and Kemar Mills to keep an eye on. As such the likes of Craig White, Roger Rodney and Desmond Breakenridge will have to be more vigilant in defence.
According to Fitzgerald, all his players are up for today's challenge. "Following that loss to Arnett Gardens, surprisingly everyone is upbeat. This is because we all saw positives coming out of that game."
"We are really looking forward to this one against Tivoli Gardens and we are looking forward to getting some points as we are playing at home."
Waterhouse are not the only ones looking forward to this game. Tivoli Gardens are eager to get a jump start on all their rivals.
"This game is very important. Each game is crucial. It is a league situation so three points away would be a big plus for us," said Tivoli Gardens manager Brian Rose.
With three points in the bag already, Rose expressed satisfaction but he was less happy with the overall performance of his team. Nothing short of an improved performance will give them the maximum points they need, said Rose.
What makes their task even more important is the history between the teams.
"Since we resumed playing games against Waterhouse at Waterhouse we have not won there. The best result that we have come away with is a draw, so if we are to get something out of it then we have to take our A game there," Rose said.
'A' GAME
They could have some help in getting to their 'A' game if national midfielder Jermaine Johnson features in their line-up. The man who is returning from over three years playing in Britain was due to have a fitness test yesterday. Passing that would make him a part of today's squad.
Other key games on today are the clash between the depleted defending champions Portmore United and the rebuilding Village United at Elleston Wakeland Centre. Portmore started off with a win while Village drew with Reno.
Promoted Seba will seek their first point of the season when they host Arnett Gardens at Jarrett Park.
Another newly-promoted team, Boys' Town, host Wadadah, who, like themselves are winless, at Arnett's Tony Spaulding Sports Complex. Harbour View should record their second win in succession when they host Constant Spring while Rivoli and Reno will seek to add to their point at Prison Oval.
TODAY'S SCHEDULE
Waterhouse vs Tivoli Gardens at Drewsland 5:00 p.m.
Boys' Town vs Wadadah at Tony Spaulding Sports Complex 3:30 p.m.
Harbour View vs Constant Spring at Harbour View Mini-Stadium 7:00 p.m.
Rivoli vs Reno at Prison Oval 4:00 p.m.
Village United vs Portmore at Elleston Wakeland Centre 3:30 p.m.
Seba vs Arnett Gardens at Jarrett Park 5:30 p.m.