Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer

Harbour View's Kavin Bryan (left) in action. - file

HAVING PUT down one of the pretenders to their throne on Sunday, Wray and Nephew National Premier League defending champions Waterhouse will be in the wars again today when they go up against their main rivals, Harbour View, at Harbour View.

Waterhouse pulled off a controversial 1-0 win over Reno of Westmoreland while Harbour View earned a last-gasp winner over Wadadah. With both teams locked at the top of the table on 40 points and Waterhouse just having the edge on goal difference, nothing short of a top-quality match should be expected.

"We expect a tough game and it should be a good one for the spectators too as both teams have the quality to provide that and my team certainly will," Harbour View's Lenworth Hyde said.

Advantage Harbour View

The 'Stars of the East', as Harbour View are dubbed, should start slight favourites as they will be hosting the game and, in addition to that, should be at full strength. "Gregg Taylor is the only one who should be out. Jermaine Taylor returns from a little injury as well as Richard Edwards from a one-game suspension," a positive sounding coach Hyde said.

He will be looking to the likes of Fabian Taylor, Kavin Bryan, captain Lovel Palmer, Robert Scarlett and O'Neil Smith to give his side the edge, but is not expecting injury-ravaged Water-house to play dead.

"I do not know that those (Waterhouse) injuries will make it easier for us. When fringe players come in, they try to show what they are made of and play even harder than the regular starters so it could be tough," Hyde opined before adding, "We have to take it seriously if we want to take the lead in the competition."

Barrington Gaynor, for his part, is expecting his charges to respond positively to the challenge despite losing two more regular players for today's clash. In addition to the previous eight, Craig White and Oneil Robinson will also be absent.

"The team normally does well when their backs are against the wall and I expect them to go all out against Harbour View," the Waterhouse coach said.

Bragging rights

"It should be a competitive game, but to be honest, what is really at stake for this game is bragging rights and an end-of-round berth because either team could lose this game and still win the league at the end of the season," explained Gaynor.

Leading the charge for Water-house today should be Demar Phillips, Brian Wollaston, Roberto Fletcher, Richard McCallum and Marco McDonald.

In other games, Village United will be hoping to get the better of Tivoli Gardens at Elleston Wake-land Centre. A victory for Village would not be far-fetched as Tivoli Gardens do not necessarily travel well and have had difficulties at the venue previously.

At STETHS, Reno should hand Seba United another defeat while Arnett Gardens should account for August Town at Barbican.

TODAY's GAMES

Village United vs Tivoli Gardens at Elliston Wakeland Centre - 3:30 p.m.

August Town vs Arnett Gardens at Barbican - 3:30 p.m.

Reno FC vs Seba United at STETHS - 3:30 p.m.

Harbour View vs Waterhouse at Harbour View Mini-Stadium - 7:00 p.m.