Waterhouse, Harbour View clash in feature

Nodley Wright, Gleaner Writer

Defending champions Harbour View and former champions Waterhouse will take centre stage today in the Digicel Premier League (DPL) when the two meet today at 6:00 p.m. at the Drewsland Stadium, in one of six matches on in the League.

Already, most teams are positioning themselves for a berth in the end-of-second round final with Harbour View and Arnett Gardens best positioned on eight points each after four games in this round. Waterhouse sit at the other end of the table on three points from four games, which include one loss at home and three draws. This does not inspire a lot of confidence in the home team.

Having examined the history between the two teams, Harbour View's Donovan Hayles is of the view that they will have the upper hand.

"It is difficult to say we want to do much different when we play Waterhouse because what we have been doing over the years is being very dominant," said Hayles, who furnished the statistics to back up his claims.

In the last 19 League matches between both teams, 11 were drawn, Harbour View won seven and Waterhouse won one, which interestingly, occurred in the second round of last season. In their first round meeting at Harbour View both teams ended on equal terms 1-1.

"It is all about move time right now. We have really targeted this round to really make a positive move because the first round was really atrocious for us by our standards. We are looking to get all three points," added Hayles, who has fielded one of the League's youngest teams anchored by a few experienced players.

Hue, Edwards OUT

Today, the young Harbour View team will be without the influential duo of Jermaine Hue and captain Richard Edwards, coming back from injury and away on national duty, respectively. They will, however, welcome back Dicoy Williams to add some composure, size and experience to the central defence.

After their brief separation from their recently returned coach, Baris Johnson - and humiliation in the end-of-first round final at the hands of Tivoli Gardens - Waterhouse are still to find their rhythm. If they are to get to the end of second-round finals then they will have to start winning games.

"I think we need to do that (start winning games) if we are trying to get in the second end-of-round final. We need to get some maximum points," said Johnson, who has watched his team lose to Sporting Central at home and drop two points after coming from behind to equalise with Village and then let them off the hook.

possible solution

"Where we have to focus most is how we transition when we lose the ball. If we can transition properly when we lose the ball, then I think defensively it will be difficult for a team to penetrate against us," continued Johnson, offering a possible solution to his team's problem.

Another possible solution is to get his forwards, in particular Peter Keyes, to finish.

Defensively, they have looked good even without goalkeeper Richard McCallum and Keneil Moodie, who are both away on national duty. Kelso Cousins has deputised well in goal for them.

Standings

P W D L GF GA GD Pts

Tivoli 15 9 3 3 25 10 15 30
Waterhouse 15 8 4 3 20 11 9 28
Boys' Town 15 8 2 5 17 16 1 26
Portmore 15 6 6 3 17 10 7 24
Harbour View 15 7 3 5 17 12 5 24
Benfica 15 6 3 6 16 25 -9 21
Sporting 15 6 2 7 15 12 3 20
Arnett 15 4 7 4 9 12 -3 19
Reno 15 4 5 6 16 15 1 17
Village 15 3 6 6 15 23 -8 15
Humble Lion 15 2 7 6 10 15 -5 13
St Georges 15 2 2 11 10 25 -16 8

Today's games:

3 p.m.: Sporting Central vs Arnett Gardens - Brancourt

3 p.m.: Reno vs Boys' Town - Frome Complex

5 p.m.: Tivoli Gardens FC vs Humble Lion - Edward Seaga Complex

6 p.m.: Waterhouse vs Harbour View - Drewsland Stadium

6 p.m.: Village United vs Benfica - Jarrett Park

6:30 p.m.: Portmore United vs St Georges - Ferdie Neita Park