Nodley Wright | Jamaica Gleaner
Today’s third week of matches in the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) should be of interest to true fans of local football as it features five matches which, on paper, suggest that they will be keenly contested.
In perhaps the game of the day, leaders Reno will play away to Harbour View, who are yet to find their footing this season.
A late start to Reno’s preparations, and the even later appointment of their coach, Patrick Graham, pointed to a struggle this season. That has not been the case so far as after two games, they find themselves looking down on the other teams.
That position is not one that Graham was expecting.
“I wasn’t expecting a lead at this time, but what we have given of our best, and this is the result so far,” said Graham, a former midfielder, who has represented the country at all levels.
Desire to succeed
The players, he added, have the desire to succeed and have bought into what he has brought to them since assuming the position as coach.
“These youngsters are hungry, and have acquitted themselves, even though they are new to the League.
“We have a good squad which is taking shape. I am happy with them, their attitude and work ethic. They have bought into what we are trying to do, and we are getting somewhere,” he added.
Harbour View’s Andrew Hines expects an improved performance from his players, and, in particular, the senior ones.
“This is our second home game and we intend to deliver for our fans who have been very patient with us and supportive. We did not really have a bad performance in the first game, but we did not get the job done, and we intend to do it this time around.
“Our senior players such as Kemar Lawrence, Nicholas Beckett and John-Ross Edwards are expected to lead the way for the youngsters to follow,” said Hines, who once represented the club with distinction as a player.
While he expects the best from his players, he won’t be taking his opponents lightly.
“The fact that our opponents are the promoted Reno does not make our job easy. All teams in the league are competitive, as the results have shown. Reno are a club with history, and over the years, we have been very competitive against them. In fact, back in the days, when I was still playing, Reno had a long unbeaten stretch, and we were the team that went there and broke it,” Hines explained.
In order for Harbour View to get a positive result, they will need to score goals, something they have not managed to do so far. McKauly Tulloch should lead the charge for them, while the free-scoring Craig Foster should do the same for Reno.