Boys' Town, Tivoli clash

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

Action in the Digicel Premier League (DPL) will reach fever pitch today when neighbouring giants Tivoli Gardens and Boys' Town clash in what is expected to be a fierce contest at Collie Smith Drive, starting at 3:30 p.m.

Match-ups between the two teams are always keenly contested, irrespective of their positions, but on this occasion they will enter the third-round game level on points, both having secured victories in their opening two games to sit on six points each.

In last season's competition, Boys' Town got the better of the league meetings, winning 0-2 away from home and 4-3 at home. Tivoli secured a 4-1 home win, while the other encounter ended in a one-all draw.

Boys' Town's coach, Andrew Price, is hoping they will maintain their win streak as they aim to challenge for the league title.

"We have had a very good start and we want to continue on our winning ways. One of the things we have to look at doing this season if we want to achieve our goal of challenging for the premier league title is to be consistent," Price said, pointing out that he is aware of the threat posed by Tivoli.

"We must be cognisant that Tivoli is a team that must be reckoned with. They have a good technical staff and they have good players, including several national players, but that does not overawe us," he added.

"The west Kingston derby is a derby that is highly charged. There is a lot of rivalry between both communities, good friendly rivalry though and over the years these games have been very exciting games," said Price.

Downplaying rivalry

Tivoli's coach Glendon 'Admiral' Bailey is, however, trying to downplay the rivalry and get his team to view the match as just another game.

"I just look at it as a next game and that is one of the things I am trying to instill in the players this year," said Bailey.

"All games are important, regardless of the team or if it is your neighbour or not. In a competition like this where points matter we are just trying to keep a frame of mind that no team is more important than the other."

He added: "We know it is not going to be an easy game and it's going to be an uphill task. This is a game that we just have to go out and apply ourselves and know that we have to work for 95 minutes in order to come away with something."

Standings

TeamsPWDLGFGAGDPTSWaterhouse22006156Portmore22004046Boys' Town22005236Tivoli22004136H View22003126Reno210131-23Village201125-31Arnett201125-31Humble Lion200202-20St Georges200236-30Sporting200203-30Benfica200227-50

Today's games

Boys' Town vs Tivoli Gardens at Collie Smith Drive at 3:30 p.m.

Village United vs Waterhouse at Elliston Wakeland Centre at 3:30 p.m.

Benfica vs Portmore United at Drax Hall at 3:30 p.m.

Reno vs Humble Lion at Frome Complex at 3:30 p.m.

Sporting Central vs St Georges at Brancourt at 3:30 p.m.

Harbour View vs Arnett Gardens at Harbour View Stadium at 7 p.m.