Boys' Town test for improving Georges

Nodley Wright, Sunday Gleaner Writer

St Georges will today get a chance to measure just how much they have improved and to determine whether their chances of survival in the Digicel Premier League are real.

The Portland-based team opened the season with a 2-4 loss at Collie Smith Drive and they were never able to recover from that, as they slumped to defeat before managing to string a few positive results under coach Geoffrey Maxwell in the second round. A win away from home over title contenders Boys' Town could do enough to convince them that their revival is real.

Having conceded 30 goals in their 22 games so far with only Benfica (39) and Village United (34) letting through more, their defence has been pretty porous. To arrest that negative development, they have brought in the no-nonsense veteran Craig 'Warlord' White to partner national defender Jermaine Taylor whose regular central defensive partner Ricardo Taylor, is abroad.

No fear

Boys' Town's Andrew Price will have no fear of the 'Warlord' or anyone else for that matter as he believes that his well-balanced unit will get the job done.

"I believe that we have a nice blend of youth and experience and with this blend we should put in a good show tomorrow. In Marvin Morgan and Jamiel Hardware, we have good young players and with Oneil Thompson who is returning to the team after playing in Norway and England, Michael Campbell, Anthony Bennett, and Renae Lloyd who is playing well right now, we have experience to draw from," a confident Price said.

Also of importance to Price and his charges is the fact that his team is just four points below the leaders in fourth position.

"This is a critical stage of the competition. Teams are within striking distance of the leaders and we are one of those teams, and we have to make sure we win all our home games especially if we are to remain in the running and challenge for the leadership," added Price, whose charges lost 0-1 to St Georges at Lynch Park at the beginning of the second round.

On the offensive front, St Georges will call on the youthful duo of Dever Orgill and Rome Parkes who have been finding the back of the net for them of late. They will, however, rue the departure of the gifted midfielder Leon Irving to Village United, one of his previous clubs.

Despite Irving's departure the spirit is said to be good at St Georges as according to a source close to the club, "the players are responding well to Maxwell".

In for a tough time

If Benfica's failure to show for their Under-21 game against Reno last Friday is a sign of the club unravelling, then they could be in for a tough time against visitors Tivoli Gardens. Not even the close family bond shared by marksman Devon Hodges, and his cousin Craig Gordon, who captains Benfica will be able to help them today.

Lenworth Hyde has managed to transform Humble Lion from toothless Lions to not quite roaring lions but ones with bite. Harbour View away from home will not be easy prey. The momentum of their end of round win should be just enough to carry Portmore United past Reno while the Sporting Central Waterhouse game could go either way.

Despite Village United now sitting in the relegation zone, it would be foolish to write them off against the much-improved Arnett Gardens at Elliston Wakeland Centre.

Today's Games

Benfica Lion vs Tivoli Gardens FC - 3 p.m. at Drax Hall

Boys' Town vs St Georges SC - 3 p.m. at Boys' Town

Reno vs Portmore United FC- 3 p.m. at Frome Complex

Sporting Central Academy vs Waterhouse FC - 3 p.m. at Brancourt

Village United vs Arnett Gardens FC - 3 p.m. at Elliston Wakeland Centre

Harbour View vs Humble Lion FC - 6:30 p.m at Harbour View Stadium