'Serious' Tivoli take crack at DPL lead

Kwesi Mugisa, Gleaner Writer

Tivoli Gardens can continue an impressive run of form by moving to the top of the Digicel Premier League (DPL), if they manage to beat Clarendon team Humble Lion in today's rescheduled game at Effortville Community Centre at 3 p.m.

Having soundly thrashed first-round leaders and rivals Waterhouse in the first end-of-round final on Sunday, the west Kingston team can rub a little bit of salt into the Drewsland team's wounds by taking over as DPL leaders.

Although a win for Tivoli would only see them join Waterhouse on 25 points, the result is likely to see the round champions boast a superior goal difference.

Even with the absence of top scorer and in-form player, Navion Boyd, on Sunday, Tivoli had little problems getting goals against Waterhouse, with other players including Keammar Daley and Devon Hodges picking up the slack in a 5-1 romp.

On the back of the big win, however, Tivoli Gardens' assistant coach, Alvin Shaw, has insisted there is no room for complacency, and said his team remains focused for today's match-up.

"Sunday's result came about due to hard work and we will continue that. The players are very focused. We know what we are about and know where we want to go. Everyone is on the same page," Shaw told The Gleaner.

"We are taking this game very seriously, it is as serious as Sunday's game. We have a few injuries tomorrow, nothing serious, but we want our 'A' team, so to speak," he added.

Among those injured are top-scorer Devon Hodges, who suffered a thigh strain, defender Rupert Murray and striker Kwame Richardson, who came off the bench late to score on Sunday.

Able to cope

Shaw is, however, confident that Tivoli have the depth to cope.

"Regardless of the injuries, we have quality players right throughout the squad. The team has a strong bench and we will be going to Humble Lion to try and get a victory," he said.

Still languishing in the second-to-last spot in the league table, Humble Lion, under new coach Lenworth Hyde Sr, have already begun to put together a string of positive results. In fact, they will have their eyes on climbing out of the relegation zone. A win for the Clarendon team, currently on nine points, will lift them above Arnett Gardens, who are on 11, having already completed their first-round fixtures.

Goals have been a scarce commodity for Humble Lion this season, as they have managed only a league-low five, attained by five different scorers. Hyde, however, hopes to correct that trend. He faces his former team today but, despite not parting ways in the best of circumstances, he insists there are no hard feelings.

"It's all about football for me. This is the final game of the round and I told the players this morning we have to end on a high. We have a chance to move up the table," Hyde said yesterday after training.

"We have a few attacking players who were out, back in the fold and that should help us with boosting our goal tally as that is a concern," Hyde explained.

"They (Tivoli) are playing good football, but we have to aim for a clean sheet. It will be difficult but I think we have the players to do it, and they are up for it."