Portmore, Harbour View aim to rebound

Nodley Wright, Gleaner Writer

'Rebound' will be the word on the mind of two former champions - Portmore United and Harbour View - when they meet in the fourth round of matches at Ferdie Neita Park in the Digicel Premier League DPL) today, starting at 6:30 p.m.

After recording back-to-back wins in the first two weeks of the 2010/2011 competition, defending champions Harbour View and former champions Portmore United both stumbled to previously winless teams in midweek.

Harbour View went down to Arnett Gardens 0-1 at home, while Portmore United lost 1-2 away to Benfica, giving the debutants their first points in the DPL.

For Portmore coach Linval Dixon, their loss was due to a lack of discipline, especially in defence, and he is looking for that to be corrected today against the defending champions.

"We lost our discipline in defence, and we cannot afford for that to happen," Dixon said after his team's midweek loss, promising to rebound.

Focus Portmore United must, as even though Harbour View were beaten by Arnett Gardens, they were by no means outplayed. They moved the ball around well and were unlucky not to find the back of the net, especially from the 'bullets' fired on goal by the young John-Ross Edwards. Coach Donovan Hayles, despite the loss, was pleased with the effort of his team.

"I am happy with what I saw of my team. In fact, it was one of the most pleasing games that I have seen my team play," Hayles said after his team's defeat.

Then he had good reason to be proud, as captain Richard Edwards played like a true leader and rallied Romario Campbell, John-Ross Edwards, Kimarlee Brissett and Marcelino Blackburn. A good performance from them will be crucial if Harbour View are to win.

Portmore United will again rely on the qualities of Ricardo Cousins, the re-energised Steven Morrissey, the young Andrew Vanzie, Tremaine Stewart and the returning Rafael Wolfe.

Boys' Town are riding high, what with their perfect start in the league, which has put them atop the tables. Having dispatched one neighbour, Tivoli Gardens, they will make the short trek up the road to take care of another.

Coach Andrew Price on  Wednesday thanked his players for a gutsy performance, which saw them beating the more fancied Tivoli Gardens. He will need a similar performance from the likes of Renae Lloyd, Anthony Bennett, Marvin Morgan, the little giant in defence, Asrick Samuels, who has formed an almost impregnable partnership with Anthowe Dawkins, in protecting Kirk Porter's goal.

Arnett Gardens coach, Wayne Fairclough, said he is expecting another 'ding dong battle' in the Collie Smith Drive derby.

Prior to Wednesday's performance, the feeling would have been that all Boys' Town had to do was show up for the points, but after the display against Harbour View, it is clear that Arnett Gardens mean business.

Beside the usual suspects of veterans such as Kevin Wilson, Cornel Chin-Sue and Gerald Neil, Arnett Gardens have quality players such as Rasheede Clarke, who was a revelation against Harbour View. Ricardo Stern also showed quality, while the central defensive parternship of the twin towers, Rohan Reid and Newton Sterling, seems to be getting the job done. Goalkeeper Julian McLeish looks as solid as ever.

After their heavy involvement in the transfer market, Humble Lion will now need to start offering returns. Still pointless after three games, they will want to make their mark in the Clarendon derby. Anything but a win could have the hard task master of a chairman, Mike Henry, shaking things up and making changes.

Still beaming

Sporting Central, who make the short trip across, must still be beaming after their win over St Georges, which now look like a club in crisis. Today their job will be much tougher, as a lot is at stake.

If St Georges are to shake the title of early season relegation favourites, they will have to put in a much-improved performance against newcomers Benfica, who claimed the prized scalp of Portmore United on Wednesday. Dever Orgill showed good form on Friday with two goals to give the Under-21s a 3-0 win over Harbour View. He will need to report in similar form to lift his team.

A strike force of national representatives Navion Boyd, Keammar Daley and the leading scorer in the league for the past two seasons, Devon Hodges, Tivoli Gardens cannot afford to fire blanks two games in a row. Still smarting from the Boys' Town loss, they are expected to be firing on all cylinders today. Anything less would be unacceptable.

Village United had a big win, blanking the previous leaders Waterhouse 2-0. That was at home. Playing away has always been tough for Village, and that is not expected to change today. Goalkeeper Ryan Cooper could have a busy evening.

Reno have wasted little time in showing that they belong in the Premier League, but they could not have asked for a worse time to visit Drewsland. Smarting from their loss to Village United, Waterhouse cannot afford to disappoint at home and will be gunning to flood the Reno goal.

Wendell Downswell is a wily coach, but he will need more than his wiles to get the better of a Waterhouse team which appears to be finding the balance between youth and experience. In Kenardo Forbes and Vincent Earle they have two quality midfielders capable of improving any team. They will have a big role to play today for coach Baris Johnson, while O'brian Woodbine, Evan Taylor and Davion Thorpe will be counted on by Reno.

Today's Games

• Arnett Gardens vs Boys' Town at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex at 6 p.m.
  
• Humble Lion vs Sporting Central Academy at Effortville Community Centre at 3:30 p.m.
  
• Portmore United vs Harbour View at Ferdie Neita Park at 6:30 p.m.
  
• St Georges Sports Club vs Benfica at Lynch Park at 3:30 p.m.
  
• Tivoli Gardens vs Village United at Edward Seaga Sports Complex at 5 p.m.
  
• Waterhouse vs Reno at Waterhouse Mini Stadium at 6 p.m.