Relegation battles take spotlight in DPL

Nodley Wright, Sunday Gleaner Writer

With the big guns idle today it will be left up to the lesser lights at the bottom of the table to fight it out and decide who survives and who perishes, with two sets of games to go before the curtain comes down on the 2010-2011 Digicel Premier League (DPL) season.

Of the four games on today, the one with the most significance is the match-up between Humble Lion and St Georges. This match could determine the survival of St Georges and the relegation of Humble Lion.

The visitors, St Georges, are just in need of a point to remain in the League, something that did not seem probable when Geoffrey Maxwell took over, while anything but a win for St Georges will see them bidding top flight goodbye for at least one season.

Distinction

For Humble Lion coach Lenworth Hyde, the man with the distinction of guiding three different teams to the National Premier League title, fighting relegation is an unfamiliar position. He, however, remains hopeful.

"We have to win the game to stay in the League, which is a desperate position to be in, but I feel confident that we can get the three points based on how we prepared," a relaxed Hyde told The Sunday Gleaner.

Hyde added that the history between both teams this season is favourable to them.

"St Georges are a team that we have beaten already. We have beaten them at Effortville and have drawn with then twice at their home ground in Portland," added Hyde, who was quick to point out that the variables have changed since their last meeting. St Georges, he said, are much improved now based on their display in the Flow knockout competition.

Like Hyde, Geoffrey Maxwell of St Georges is confident of getting the desired result.

"This is a very critical game for both teams. We need a point, but I see no reason why we should play defensively, because the mathematical possibility is there for us to finish in the top six and we want to achieve this.

"Every game I go into I want to win. Humble Lion will have to come at us," Maxwell said, adding that any other approach could play right into the hands of the hosts.

On paper, Humble Lion have enough quality to compete with and beat any team in the League with the likes of national goalkeeper Shawn Sawyers, Wolry Wolfe, Carlington Smith, Kevin Lamey, Denzil Watson, Tyrone Sawyers and Kevin Mighty. Football is never played on paper and not all of the above players have played up to their reputation.

St Georges have been without the services of former captain Jermaine Taylor, Ricardo Taylor, Leon Irving and Dever Orgill, all starters from the spine of the team in the second half of the season but have looked better without them. In their absence, Girvon Brown, Omar Davis, Donovan Davis, the veteran Craig White and Romeo Parkes have really stepped up.

At the Tony Spaulding Sports Complex, Arnett Gardens should secure their position with a win over the already relegated Benfica while the already safe Sporting Central Academy should get at least a point away to Reno at Frome.

• 3:30 p.m: Village United vs Portmore United - Elliston Wakeland Centre
  
• 3:30 p.m: Reno vs Sporting Central Academy - Frome Complex
  
• 3:30 p.m: Humble Lion vs St Georges - Effortville Community Centre
  
• 3:30 p.m: Arnett Gardens vs Benfica - Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex

Monday's games

• 6:00 p.m: Harbour View vs Tivoli Gardens - Harbour View Mini Stadium
  
• 6:00pm Waterhouse vs Boys' Town - Drewsland Stadium