Nodley Wright | Sunday Gleaner
Defending champions Harbour View will be going for their fifth consecutive win and their seventh overall when they host former champions Tivoli Gardens in the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) today.
The ‘Stars of the East’ are sitting on the same amount of points, 20, as leaders Montego Bay United and only trail them on goal difference. Today, they will have the opportunity to continue to put the pressure on Montego Bay United, the only team from western Jamaica in the island’s top-flight football competition and possible surpass them should they slip up. Montego Bay United and Harbour View are playing the best brand of football in the competition and both would want to end the round as leaders.
Young striker Brian Brown has really found his footing this season with the belief in him by coach Harold Thomas doing wonders for him. McCauley Tulloch has also been rejuvenated, giving Harbour View a powerful-looking frontline backed up by their airtight defensive line led by captain Dicoy Williams and Montrose Phinn.
Since his return from injury, Navion Boyd has looked like a different player. Rohan Reid has also looked good in midfield and if Keammar Daley returns to action today then Harbour View could have a tough match on their hands.
If Montego Bay United are to keep their place at the top of the table, they will have to get the better of August Town and this they should do. Besides home advantage, the poor form being experienced by August Town should be to Montego Bay United’s advantage. With the loss of their unbeaten run August Town have gone to the other extreme where they are on a winless run.
In Dino Williams, the competition’s second-leading scorer, Montego Bay United have a player who will be a threat to any defensive unit with his finishing and his ability to set up his teammate. Already, the much-improved and maturing Allan Ottey and Leslie St Fleur have been benefiting from their service.
August Town will have to dig deep to turn their fortunes around as a failure to do so could mean the beginning of the end of their time – for this season at least – among the big boys. Kevin Wilson, the veteran, will have to put on his goalscoring boots if their fortunes are to change.
Today’s games:
6:30 p.m: Harbour View vs Tivoli Gardens View – Harbour View Stadium
3 p.m: Montego Bay United vs August Town – Wespow Park
7 p.m: Portmore United vs Waterhouse – Ferdie Neita Park
3 p.m: Rivoli United vs Humble Lion – Prison Oval
3 p.m: Sporting Central vs Boys’ Town – Juici Patties Park
Tomorrow’s game
7 p.m: Arnett Gardens vs Cavalier – Anthony Spaulding Complex
POINTS STANDING
P W D L GF GA GD Pts MoBay United 10 6 2 2 14 5 9 20 H View 10 6 2 2 13 5 8 20 Waterhouse 10 5 1 4 9 8 1 16 Cavalier 10 5 1 4 6 8 -2 16 Tivoli 10 3 6 1 9 7 2 15 Humble Lion 10 4 3 3 8 7 1 15 Boys’ Town 10 3 4 3 11 11 0 13 Rivoli 10 3 3 4 5 9 -4 12 Sporting 10 3 2 5 10 14 -4 11 August Town 10 2 4 4 8 12 4 10 Arnett 10 2 3 5 13 13 0 9 Portmore 10 1 3 6 4 11 -7 6