Tivoli keen to extend St Georges' misery

André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

Fresh off their big win against rivals Harbour View - a result that placed them two points off the top-of-the-table, former champions Tivoli Gardens will be looking to continue their merriment when they welcome the struggling St Georges Sports Club to the Edward Seaga Sports Complex, in Digicel Premier League action at 5 p.m.

With 12 points already on the board and some of the biggest names in local football on their roster, Tivoli Gardens are overwhelming favourites in a contest that pits the four-time champions against an outfit that is languishing at the foot of the table - 11th place with a mere four points.

Despite the apparent gap in ability and form, Tivoli Gardens' assistant coach, Alvin Shaw, is well aware of the dangers posed by the Portlanders. After all, both teams actually faced each other in last season's End of First Round final - an objective this year as well for the west Kingston team - so there is little doubt about the quality that St Georges possess.

Training session

"We definitely need to keep our feet on the ground and ensure that we come out with a win in this game," said Shaw. "If we are going to win the competition these are the type of games we have to win, not underestimating St Georges or anything like that based on their form right now.

"Our philosophy is to take every game seriously and we know it won't be easy against St Georges," added Shaw.

Shaw who spoke to The Gleaner yesterday, moments after the team's final training session before the matchup, expressed satisfaction with the work that the team has done so far and is encouraged by the commitment shown in training.

"The guys are working hard and the vibes in the camp is very good. They are very motivated and are looking forward to the game and all want to do well," Shaw added.

League leaders Portmore United, with 14 points, will be on the hunt for win number five when they play host to the rejuvenated Humble Lion in another highly anticipated encounter, at 6:30 p.m. at Ferdie Neita Park.

Humble Lion have had a disastrous start to the campaign so far and only managed their first win on Sunday, with new coach Lenworth Hyde Sr - a former Portmore United coach - sitting on their bench for the first time.

Hyde is preparing his team for a tough battle, but has made it clear that he will be going all out for maximum points.

"Our objective is to get all three points. Based on the position that we are in we need every possible point, so we are prepared to approach this positively," Hyde said.

"We know it's going to be a tough game, but we must do whatever it takes to get the win. There are quality players in this team (Humble Lion) so right now we are just trying to motivate them and keep them focused."

Second placed Boys' Town, on 13 points, are also in action, as they will play Village United away at the Elliston Wakeland Centre, looking to hold on to their End of Round final spot. Sporting Central Academy will host Benfica at Brancourt and defending champions Harbour View will travel the length of the island to play Reno at Frome; games that are all slated to start at 3:30 p.m.

Waterhouse, who are also on 13 points, will play Arnett Gardens at the Waterhouse Mini Stadium in a 6 p.m start.

Games on

6:30 p.m. Portmore United FC vs Humble Lion at Ferdie Neita Park

3:30 p.m. Reno vs Harbour View at Frome Sports Complex

3:30 p.m. Sporting Central Academy vs Benfica at Brancourt

5 p.m. Tivoli Gardens vs St Georges at Edward Seaga Sports Complex

3:30 p.m. Village United vs Boys' Town at Elliston Wakeland Centre

6 p.m. Waterhouse vs Arnett Gardens at Waterhouse Mini Stadium

Standings

Standings in the Digicel Premier League after Sunday's seventh round of matches

(Tabulate under Teams, P-Play, W-Win, D-Draw, L-Lose, GF-Goals For, GA-Goals Against, Pts-Points)

TeamsPWDLGFGAGDPTSPortmore742194514Waterhouse741295413Boys' Town741288013Tivoli640293612Reno732284411Sporting7313106410H View7313107310Arnett723258-39Benfica7223812-48Village7133715-86Humble Lion611426-44St Georges7115714-74