Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer

AFTER DISPOSING of Portmore United last week, title hopefuls Waterhouse will be aiming for two in a row when they visit Collie Smith Drive to take on rivals Arnett Gardens in the Cash Plus Premier League (CPPL).

To the casual onlooker, there may not be much in this match, but officials from both clubs do not share that view.

Key role

According to Waterhouse's Felix Porter, Craig White, formerly of Waterhouse and now of Arnett Gardens, could play a key role in how the game shapes up.

White, a fiery character who gives it his all, will be doing his best to get one over his former team, Porter believes.

"We are also looking for a good game from Arnett Gardens. There is some rivalry there. It would be important to see how Craig White plays against us and how Jonothan Williams does against them as he formerly played for Arnett Gardens, so this could add to the intensity of this game," Porter said. "Craig served us well and I wish him all the best, but not well enough for him to contribute to their beating us."

So confident is Porter that he does not see his team leaving the Tony Spaulding Sports Complex with "less than a point".

On paper, the Waterhouse team should oblige as it has perhaps the strongest midfield in the country with the likes of Vincent Earle, Damion Williams, Jonothan Williams, Weston Forrest and the 'returned resident', Ramon Bailey, who is expected to make his debut today.

In addition to that powerful midfield there are the likes of Garfield Reid, Desmond Breaken-ridge, Roger Rodney and Marco McDonald, who is yet to play for the season, to call on. Of course, goalkeeper Richard McCallum has as safe a pair of hands as any goalkeeper in the league and forward Jomo Gordon should cause his usual problems.

Name players

Arnett Gardens are also not short of name players. Walter Boyd and Kevin Wilson are set to make their seasonal debuts today alongside Everton Bunsie, Cornel Chin-Sue, Julian McLeish and Gerald Neil.

The difference with the Arnett Gardens team is that their 'star' players appear to be lacking in currency.

"I have heard that the likes of Boyd, Bunsie, Wilson and others like them will be available, but you just get the feeling that the pace has left them," Porter said.

Those words could provide just the ammunition the Arnett Gardens team needs to make Porter swallow his words.

"All our players who were overseas are now back and competing for a place in the team which should make it better for us," club president Patrick Roberts said. "Wilson is here, Blackburn is here and Leon Strickland was here before. Strickland, in fact, played last week and looked quite lively. He missed a good opportunity but I expect him to do much better in this game."

At Prison Oval, Reno should get the better of newcomers Sporting Central.

In their two matches so far St. Georges have finished on equal footing with defending champions Harbour View and beaten Village United to enjoy a share of the lead.

Today, against August Town, a win or a draw would do even more to convince that they are here to stay. August Town on the other hand are in possession of a solitary point following last week's draw with Tivoli Gardens.

With Wadadah out of the top league this season, Village United playing away and the form that Seba United have shown under the guidance of the influential Theodore Whitmore, Jarrett Park should be a full house today.

High spirits

Seba United have won at home and drawn away to enjoy a share of the lead. With that being the case, their spirits could not be any higher as they take on a Tivoli Gardens team tagged with the reputation of not being good travellers.

Harbour View have not shown the qualities of defending champions as yet.

In two games they have had two draws and the third team, Village United, are not expected to be as lucky.

Fabian Taylor, Greg Taylor and Kavin Bryan should be hungry for goal, while Village United, despite their setback of last week, are not expected to be pushovers.

Today's Games

5:00 p.m. - Arnett Gardens vs Waterhouse at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex

3:30 p.m. - Sporting Central vs Reno at Prison Oval

3:30 p.m. - August Town vs St. Georges at UWI

5:00 p.m. - Seba vs Tivoli Gardens at Jarrett Park

3:30 p.m. - Harbour View vs. Village United at Harbour View

NOTE: Portmore United vs Boys' Town match-up has been rescheduled

Today's games