Portmore 'prepared' for Tivoli challenge

Nodley Wright, Gleaner Writer

Former champions Portmore United will face their toughest challenge of the National Premier League season when they play away to defending champions Tivoli Gardens today at Edward Seaga Sports Complex at 5 p.m.

After two ordinary seasons by their standards, the St Catherine-based team has looked a much improved outfit this season and only goal difference separate them from today's opponents, who sit atop the league table.

Portmore's coach Calvin Lewis, the man who guided Highgate to the Premier League, is cognisant of the task at hand.

"It is an important fixture for us," said Lewis, whose team got the better of Montego Bay United on Sunday.

Tough matches

"We have not lost to Tivoli Gardens for quite some time, but the matches between us have always been tough and this will be no different, but we are prepared.

"We have prepared ourselves to face all opponents and see no game as bigger than the other. We know that they are a free-scoring team and that in order to beat them we have to outscore them, but they have conceded goals too, their defence can be breached," Lewis added.

If Portmore United are to breach the Kasai Hinds-led defence, then their key players, Alanzo Adlam and Tremaine Stewart, must be on top of their game. But Lewis said his team's offence is not limited to the duo.

"Adlam and Tremaine are the ones scoring, but they are being provided for, which is good. Based on our team, goals can come from anywhere, and defensively we are sound as well. Adrian Reid is doing well and providing good leadership for the younger defenders," Lewis explained.

Tivoli Gardens, for their part, have been benefiting from the presence in their squad of leading goalscorer Mitchily Waul, who has set himself a target of a goal a game.

"Every game I play I play the same way, hard, and my plan is to score in every game I play. If I score one goal in every game I play then I will be doing my job for the team in helping them to win, and everything that comes after that is a bonus," Waul said after scoring the winner against Harbour View in a 1-0 result on Sunday.

Today, his approach should be the same and he is expected to get good support from strike partner Navion Boyd, Marcelino Blackburn, and Devon Hodges, who came off the bench on Sunday.

Mouth-watering clash

At Catherine Hall, the promoted Montego Bay United should add to their meagre points tally with a win over the still winless Village United in the battle of the western teams, while Reno will be hoping to get the better of Sporting Central Academy at Frome. Highgate, the other promoted team, will host Humble Lion in what should be a mouth-watering clash at Lynch Park.

Boys' Town will be gunning for another big scalp when they host Harbour View, following Sunday's 'big' 2-1 away win over then leaders Waterhouse.

Waterhouse, for their part, will seek to return to winning ways when they travel to Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex to meet Arnett Gardens.

Sunday's results

• 6 p.m. Montego Bay United vs Village United at Catherine Hall Complex
• 5 p.m. Tivoli Gardens vs Portmore United at Edward Seaga Sports Complex
• 3:30 p.m. Boys' Town vs Harbour View at Collie Smith Drive
• 3:30 p.m. Highgate United vs Humble Lion at Lynch Park
• 3:30 p.m. Reno vs Sporting Central Academy at Frome Sports Complex
• 6 p.m. Arnett Gardens vs Waterhouse at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex