H View aim to cut down Tivoli

Nodley Wright, Gleaner Writer

If defending champions Harbour View are to make coach Donovan Hayles' belief that they can retain the Digicel Premier League (DPL) title a reality, then a victory against leaders Tivoli Gardens today would go a long way.

With 46 points, the youthful Harbour View trail Tivoli Gardens by 12 points with eight games to go and a total of 24 points to be had.

"Until the points suggest that we can't win the competition, I will never give up," said Hayles.

"To keep ourselves in the competition three points is what is required, so as I have expressed to the players in training, we are playing a final on Sunday," he continued.

Recent history could be on the side of Harbour View, as in the last meeting between the teams Harbour View came from behind to win 3-2. That game, however, was played at the Harbour View Mini Stadium, while in their first game of the season, Tivoli Gardens came out on top 1-0.

Unluckily for Hayles, Tivoli Gardens appear to be running into form at the right time, losing just once in their last eight games.

Additionally, even the stewards have been kind to the western Kingston-based team, as last week they were awarded three points for a game they lost on the field, as Humble Lion were found to have used an ineligible player.

Regained footing

Striker Navion Boyd has regained his footing and, along with Roland Dean, will be expected to carry the fight to Harbour View, especially with the recently returned Keammar Daley out due to a suspension.

"Our strikers are now finding their form, so I am expecting to get some goals. We have put in a lot of hard work to get our strikers going, Navion Boyd in particular, and it has recently started bearing fruit," said Alvin Shaw, Tivoli's assistant coach.

"I am expecting goals from him (Boyd) come Sunday, as well as Roland Dean," Shaw added.

Despite playing at home, Tivoli Gardens could find it difficult to breach the Harbour View backline, which has looked particularly sound since the return to full fitness of Montrose Phinn. The 'Stars of the East' have not been beaten in 11 games and have given up a miserly three goals in that time.

While the Harbour View defenders have been doing their job, the forwards have been coming up short, with Rafeik Thomas often getting in good positions but finding the proper finishing touch difficult. Luckily for them, Jermaine Hue, Marcelino Blackburn and Andre Steele often fill in.

Boys' Town,Waterhouse to battle

At Collie Smith Drive, second-place Boys' Town and fifth-place Waterhouse will do battle. If they are to challenge for the title they will have to do far better in front of goal than they have done in their last eight games, as they have scored just five goals apiece. Waterhouse have been playing well without success, and the absence of Jermaine Anderson and goalkeeper Richard McCallum will not help their cause.

Humble Lion should get the better of Benfica at home, while Portmore United could do just enough to keep Arnett Gardens at bay.

The loss of Craig Foster to national duty will be a major disadvantage for Reno when they host the relegation zone-dwelling but battling St Georges.

Village United have been difficult to predict all season and anything could happen in their game against Sporting Central.

Games on:

3:30 p.m. Boys' Town vs Waterhouse at Collie Smith Drive (KLAS radio)

3:30 p.m. Humble Lions vs Benfica at Effortville Community Centre

4:30 p.m. Portmore United vs Arnett Gardens at Ferdie Neita Park (CVM TV)

3:30 p.m. Reno vs St Georges at Frome Sports Complex

5 p.m. Tivoli Gardens vs Harbour View at Edward Seaga Complex (HITZ 92)

3:30 p.m. Village United vs Sporting Central Academy at Elliston Wakeland Centre