Boys' Town look to settle score

Nodley Wright, Gleaner Writer

Boys' Town have a score to settle against Montego Bay United, and it is the hope of the Collie Smith Drive-based team that today is the day that they do so.

In the first round of the Red Stripe Premier League, the Red Brigade - as Boys' Town are fondly dubbed - played to a 1-1 draw away to the promoted Montego Bay United, only to end up losing all three points with three goals awarded against them in the boardroom for their use of the ineligible Marvin Morgan. That loss plunged them close to the bottom of the table.

Now, they are sitting comfortably in fifth position, but that loss and the three goals awarded against them have seen them sitting one place lower than where they would have been.

Win all home games

"It is a home game and we have made it our objective to win all our home games, and based on that we will go for maximum points. A win will give us that opportunity to be closer to the leaders, where we believe we ought to be," Boys' Town coach Andrew Price said.

"We are aware that the Montego Bay United team is a much-improved team right now, as they have shown recently, and as such, they cannot and will not be taken lightly. Right now, the league is tight, if you look at the positions one through seven they are separated by about five points so one win or one loss could make a whole lot of difference," Price explained.

With all his players available for selection, Price will field his strongest team, which should include the likes of midfield enforcer O'Neil Thompson, captain Michael Campbell, Renae Lloyd and Xavian Virgo.

Montego Bay United, despite being in the relegation zone, must be encouraged by their showing against defending champions Tivoli Gardens on Sunday last, when they held the former leaders to a 1-1 draw.

No easy match

"I don't expect this to be an easy game. We have been preparing for this for two weeks. The same thing we want, is what they want and I am sure Boys' Town are banking on winning at home, but we have seen the difference in the past two weeks and we expect it to bear fruit shortly," a confident Orville Powell, the MoBay club's president, said of today's game.

With the exception of Adrian Robinson, Montego Bay United will be at their strongest, and Leon Irving, captain Keneil Moodie and Troy Reid should figure prominently.

Another crucial game will see neighbours Tivoli and Arnett Gardens go head-to-head. Tivoli Gardens are in second place, but despite still being the only unbeaten team left in the league, they have not won a game in their last six outings. Arnett, on the other hand, enjoyed a rare win on Sunday.

In other games, Village United could pick up a point at home to Sporting Central, while Portmore United may just get the edge over Humble Lion. Harbour View host the tough Highgate, while Waterhouse are expected to get the better of Reno at home.