Portmore, its former stars in lion-hearted showdown

Nodley Wright, Gleaner Writer

Having shopped wisely in the second transfer window and seeing the rewards with a 1-0 win over leaders Tivoli Gardens, Humble Lions head coach, Lenworth Hyde Snr., is now confident that his team can make a mark in the Digicel Premier League (DPL).

Following the win over Tivoli Gardens, one of his former teams, Hyde boldly declared that he now has a team to challenge for the title.

"We have a side that can win games now and we are looking to win the next six and get into the top six," said Hyde, who will today lead his charges against another team he formerly coached, Portmore United.

Among the players acquired are Wolry Wolfe, scorer of the winning goal against Tivoli Gardens, and Carlington Smith, both of whom represented Portmore United before being shipped out to Benfica at the start of the season.

Waterhouse legend Kevin Lamey, Devon Powell and Mark Miller also made the move to the Clarendon-based team.

The above should complement national goalkeeper Shawn Sawyers and his brother Tyrone. Portmore United, the former home of the Sawyers brothers, know very well what the Clarendon team can do.

Tougher opponents

"This Humble Lions is different from the ones we have faced previously so we know they will be much tougher opponents. They have brought in players that will improve them and they beat Tivoli in the last game so it seems to be working for them," said Portmore United's head coach, Linval Dixon, who presided over a 0-0 draw and a 1-0 win over Humble Lions in their two previous games this season.

"We had a setback last week and will bounce back and get to winning ways. It will not be easy, but we aim to deliver," added Dixon, whose team lost 1-0 to bottom-place St Georges Sports Club last week.

According to Dixon, his team suffered last week because of their failure to capitalise on the many chances they created.

"We have not been scoring goals and that is what cost us the game ... for today we should have Steven Morrissey back. Morrissey is the one who has been scoring the goals and if he can return with that form we should be in a good position," Dixon pointed out.

Portmore United will also be able to draw on the qualities of captain Mario Swaby, Ricardo Cousins, Tremaine Stewart, Adrian Reid and Eric Vernan.

At Drewsland, the exciting but unfortunate Waterhouse will host the rejuvenated Arnett Gardens in what should be a mouth-watering clash.

Key players

While Waterhouse should be at their strongest with Vincent Earle, Kenardo Forbes and goalkeeper Richard McCallum to call on, Arnett Gardens will be without key players Rohan Reid and Dennis McKinley, both of whom scored in last week's win over Sporting Central Academy.

The Clarendon team, in the meantime, should welcome a return to their home ground following last week's away loss by a 2-0 margin at Arnett.

The prospects of facing the struggling Benfica should not be a major bother to Sporting, even though the St Ann team drew goalless with Village United last week.

Village United will host the unpredictable Boys' Town, while Harbour View will be looking to continue their advance up the table with a positive away result against Reno at Frome.

Leaders Tivoli Gardens will have an excellent opportunity to allay fears of a meltdown, when they host bottom of the table but battling St Georges, at the Edward Seaga Stadium. The leaders are coming off an away loss to Humble Lion.

On this occasion, St Georges will be playing away and will be without their rock, central defender and captain, Jermaine Taylor, who made a long overdue move abroad last week when he signed with US Major League Soccer team Houston Dynamos.

Today's games:

6:30 p.m. Portmore vs Humble Lions at Ferdie Neita Park

3 p.m. Reno vs Harbour View at Frome Complex

3 p.m. Sporting Central vs Benfica at Brancourt

5 p.m. Tivoli vs St Georges at Edward Seaga Complex (Hitz 92 radio game)

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

4:30 p.m. Waterhouse vs Arnett Gardens at Waterhouse Mini Stadium (CVM TV/ KLAS radio game)