Harbour View look to control destiny

Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

With only three games to go and a four-point advantage, Digicel Premier League leaders Harbour View have their destiny in their own hands. But the race is far from over and defending champions Tivoli Gardens will be ready and waiting to pounce on any slip-up when play resumes today.

A victory today over arch-rivals Boys' Town at the Harbour View Mini Stadium, will be key for the Star of the East, as they look to maintain their cushion.

Tivoli, who simply cannot afford to drop any points, will travel to Lynch Park where they face St Georges.

Traditionally the Boys' Town, Harbour View match-up has been a competitive one. However, it is Harbour View who hold a decisive advantage this season, winning both encounters between the teams.

A tough game

In addition to that, the Red Brigade have struggled mightily in their last few games, failing to register a win in four.

"The game between Boys' Town and Harbour View is traditionally a tough one, but we will go out there knowing we have to get all three points," said Harbour View coach, Donovan Hayles.

"The players are in a relaxed type of mood, we won't allow over ambition to get in the way of what we know we simply have to do.

"Our views and approach to this round wasn't about points, it was about winning games. We just know that we have to win all our games and we will win the title, that is our aim," Hayles said.

Tivoli are expected to have a much tougher time when they face St Georges, a team that has only lost five times at home this season. While a win for the west Kingston team will keep the pressure on the leaders, a loss will almost certainly end their title hopes.

In fact, a draw would also prove detrimental for Tivoli and while their coach, Lenworth Hyde Sr. admits that they have not given up, he also knows there is no room for error.

"We still have a shot at the title, we can't give up, we just have to deal with our business, we can't drop any more points," said Hyde.

"The most important thing is that we don't concede any more goals, but we also need to score more goals. We have scored only one goal for this round, but we have done some work in that department this week and we are hoping that will pay off."

At Waterhouse Mini Stadium, in the other elite six game, third-place Waterhouse will host sixth-place Village United.

No admission fee

The Waterhouse Football Club indicated in press release yesterday that there will be no admission fee.

Things in the lower half of the table are also interestingly poised, as there remain only six points between 12th and seventh. However, Portmore United, who have steadily progressed away from the drop zone since the start of the final round, can all but secure their safety with a win over Arnett Gardens at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex. Only two points above the dreaded drop zone, the Junglists will be desperate for a win, which could go a long way in assuring their safety.

Sporting Central will look to spring the relegation trap, but must get the better of parish rivals Humble Lion, while August Town, tied with Sporting Central on points at the bottom of the table, will look to snap a five-game winless streak when they tackle ninth-place Rivoli at Spanish Town Prison Oval.

Harbour View vs Boys' Town @ 5 p.m.

St Georges vs Tivoli @ 6:30 p.m.

Waterhouse vs Village @ 6 p.m.

Arnett Gardens vs Portmore @ 6 p.m.

Humble Lion vs Sporting Central @ 3:30 p.m.

Rivoli United vs August Town @ 6 p.m.

Standings

TeamsPWDLGFGAGDPtsH View35217749252470Tivoli351812553242966W'house35158123634253St Georges351114102928147Boys' Town351112122730-345Village351014113138-744Portmore351012132328-542H Lion 35914123235-341Rivoli35815123240-839Arnett35814133138-738August Twn3599172644-1836Sporting35715132833 -536