Having faltered in the second round of the Red Stripe Premier League, a number of teams will be aiming to get things right today as they eye a place in the top four at the end of this round.
Two of these teams are Cavalier and Harbour View, who meet this evening at Compound. Of the two, Harbour View are more comfortable but know that another slip-up could see them slide out of the much coveted top four.
“We need the points because there are a few teams behind us within striking distance. These three points are really, really important especially at this time,” stated Harbour View coach Andrew Hines, who watched his team go down 0-2 to Rivoli United last Sunday.
That loss allowed Rivoli United, Humble Lion and Tivoli Gardens to move within two points of Harbour View’s 34. A loss for Harbour View could see them overtaken and falling as low as sixth as both Humble Lion and Rivoli are fancied to win. The red-hot Humble Lion will host second-from-bottom Reno while Rivoli will play away to bottom-placed Barbican Football Club.
Eighth-placed Cavalier had the worst of the second round, and with 27 points are seven points behind Harbour View. A loss for them would be more detrimental.
POSITIVE RESULT
“Harbour View did much better than us. We only got seven points in the second round, they got 15. The important thing for us is that if we intend to make anything of this season we have to get a positive result (today). A win there will get us back to the bunch that is chasing the fourth spot,” explained coach Rudolph Speid, who is eyeing a play-off spot for his team.
Added Speid: “We came off a long drought with a big win over Boys’ Town in the final game of the round. This is very important to our stay in the League.”
For Cavalier, however, the forecast for rain or even a flood of goals looks bleak as two of their key players are doubtful. Chevone Marsh, their most influential player, was reinjured last week after getting over a broken nose. With his latest injury being one to the knee, his recovery could take some time and may force him to sit out. Marsh could be joined on the touchline by fellow midfielder Kamoy Simpson.
Like Cavalier, Harbour View will be missing one key player and have others in doubt. Jermie Lynch, who lasted just seven minutes on the field against Rivoli, will be serving a one-match ban while this game may be too early for Ranique Muir who is returning from injury.
“Lynch is a big loss. He is such a dynamic player and he brings so much but the thing is that we have a squad with talented players, but it is only a matter of them stepping up,” Hines explained.
Among those who should be considered for selection are McKaully Tulloch, the very talented Kevaughn Frater, John-Ross Edwards, Joel Senior, Nicholas Beckett and new signings players Steve Broderick (centre forward), Anthony Greenland (midfield/striker).
The hard-working Girvon Brown, the returning Jeffrey Henry, Donovan Edwards, Oshane Jenkins and Claudious Blackburn are expected to carry the fight for Cavalier.