Boys' Town seek another lift

Buoyed by their good fortune in midweek, which saw them jump four places from eighth to fourth in the Red Stripe National Premier League, the Red Brigade will be hoping to improve their almost improbable chance of a place in the end-of-round final - this time of their own doing - when they host Humble Lion at Collie Smith Drive.

Earlier in the season, Boys' Town were docked three points and had three goals awarded against them when they used the ineligible Marvin Morgan in their win over Montego Bay United. That action in the Premier League Clubs Association boardroom saw them slip close to the relegation zone. This latest ruling has thrown them a lifeline, as it has taken them from the edge of the relegation zone into a healthy mid-table position where they can challenge for a place in the end-of-round final. A victory for Boys' Town and losses for the teams above them would enhance their chances.

no pushovers

Today's opponents, Humble Lion, will be no pushovers despite the fact that Boys' Town have a better head-to-head record against them.

"We have only beaten Boys' Town once in about two years, and since I have been there we have not beaten them," said coach Lenworth Hyde, himself a former star for Boys' Town.

"Playing against them will be tough but we are ready. I love the way we are playing but the only drawback is that we are not scoring. We did some work and we hope it will work out. Most important thing is that we are creating the chances and we hope to continue that," Hyde added.

Humble Lion have taken concrete steps to improve their chances of a victory, as they have included proven goal scorer and former Boys' Town representative Denzil Watson in the squad.

"We have included Denzil Watson in the squad and he has really looked good in training, during work that we have done to sharpen our finishing. We have also brought in an under-21 player, Jermaine Wallace, who did well against Tivoli and we will try him again," said Hyde, whose team has the best away record in the league.

If Boys' Town are to defend their home turf successfully then captain Michael Campbell, team strong man O'Neil Thompson, Renae Lloyd, Xavian Virgo, Asrick Samuels and Joel Williams will have to be sharp.

relegation zone

At the Tony Spaulding Sports Complex, leaders Portmore United will hope to continue their march towards the end-of-round final with a win over 10th-place Arnett Gardens, who are in need of creating some distance between themselves and the two teams in the relegation zone.

If Montego Bay United are to achieve their wish of being the top team in western Jamaica any time soon, a win over Westmoreland's Reno would help them on their way. Currently, Montego Bay are in the relegation zone on seven points, four behind Reno, who are on 11 points and in eighth position.

Harbour View have shown very little, if any, potency in front of goal for most of this the first round. Village United, the league's beating stick so far, could provide them with their best opportunity to change this and boost their confidence. Village United's view is that they are playing well but have just not been able to score. In Dino Williams, they have a quality young forward and if he gets going the floodgates may just open for them.

After being the only team with maximum nine points from their first three games, Waterhouse have won just three points from their remaining six, losing three and drawing three as they slide southward. They are blessed with two excellent keepers in Richard McCallum and Kelso Cousins, while captain Vincent Earle, Damion Williams, Carlos Barrett and Peter Keyes are all quality players but they have not been able to combine well enough with the likes of Jermaine Anderson, when he is available and Gary McIntosh to find the back of the net.

Today's home game against Sporting Central could be even more crucial to them and their impatient home fans. Another unfavourable result could see the fans venting their fury at the team and coach Donovan Duckie, who did well to get the team off to a great start.

Sporting Central, but for shooting themselves in the foot in midweek, would have been leading the league on goal difference. They play at good pace, move the ball around well and have a number of players capable of scoring. The little Bahamian, Leslie St Fleur, is the ace in their pack but François Swaby, Levaughn Williams, Jamoly Powell, Hughan Gray and the steady Jadian Wynter cannot be overlooked as the fight for an end-of-round final position continues.

Wins have been scarce for defending champions and second-place Tivoli Gardens. Nothing less than that against the promoted but spirited Highgate at the Edward Seaga Stadium will restore the faith and confidence of the Tivoli Gardens faithful. Navion Boyd, Mithchily Waul, Marcelino Blackburn and Devon Hodges are the men on whose shoulders the responsibility of a victory rests. Highgate will look to the likes of Richard Orrett, Donovan Davis, Romeo Parkes and Anthowe Dawkins to carry their fight.

Today's games

3 p.m: Boys' Town vs Humble Lion - Boys Town

3:30 p.m: Harbour View vs Village United - Harbour View Stadium

5 p.m: Tivoli Gardens vs Highgate United - Edward Seaga Complex

5 p.m: Montego Bay United vs Reno - Catherine Hall Complex

6 p.m: Waterhouse vs Sporting Central - Drewsland Stadium

6 p.m: Arnett Gardens vs Portmore United - Anthony Spaulding Complex

Standings