Photo: Omar Daley has added a lot expereince to the Portmore United team that currently leads the Red Stripe Premier League.
Portmore United will go in search of three crucial points against cellar dwellers Waterhouse FC on Sunday as action continues in the Red Stripe Premier League. Both teams occupy unexpected positions in the league, with Portmore United leading the league, having just returned after being relegated two seasons ago.
Portmore has surprised many by being in the top four all season and having returned to the summit last weekend, has shown that this is no fluke and that they are real contenders for the title. Javon East has come up with timely goals for them all season and his nine goals are the most scored by any player at the club. Ricardo Morris has also been in good form in front of goal and will be a big threat to Waterhouse, having scored in the Portmore win at Drewsland earlier this season. Former Reggae Boy Omar Daley has returned to the club and his experienced had added significantly to the fortunes of the team.
Two seasons ago Waterhouse was playing in the final of the competition and they now sit on the verge of relegation from the league, something not envisaged by anyone at the start of the 2015-2016 campaign.
Back to back wins had given the Drewsland based team some hope of survival as they moved off the bottom of the table for the first time this calendar year. However, the loss last weekend has seen them slump back to last place and the chances of survival slipping away quite quickly. Three wins in the last three games, beginning on Sunday, is the only way the Anthony Patrick team can save themselves.
Another key encounter is the game between 7th placed Boys Town FC and 5th placed Humble Lion FC at the Barbican Field. Hosts Boys Town has not lost a game in their last four games and this end of season consistency has seen them revive their slim chances of qualifying for the semi-finals. A win against Humble Lion will see them move up to 41 points and level with their opponents.
The visitors on the other hand, will be desperate for all three points as they seek to keep pressure on the UWI FC who currently occupy that treasured fourth spot in the league. Coach Vassell Reynolds will be hoping for good fortune in front of goal especially since the goal difference of Humble Lion is currently a poor -2.
Consistency has been a big issue for Harbour View FC this season, who amongst all the teams hunting, the still up for grabs fourth spot in the league, should have made it their own a long, long time ago. They will host a desperate FC Reno at the Harbour View Stadium on Sunday. The Stars of the East are three points out of fourth place and must win to retain their hopes of making the semi-finals.
Reno sits one place and three points above the relegation zone so they too are desperate for a win. With some much riding on a result for both teams, the fans can expect a good and open encounter.
The other game on the fixture list is no less intriguing as the battle to avoid relegation factors squarely in this matchup. Rivoli United SC who sit in 11th placed on 30 points, host 8th placed Tivoli Gardens FC who have 34 points and are by no means safe just yet.
Having won last weekend and moved off the foot of the table, a second win on the trot, coupled with a Reno loss, would see Rivoli United moving out of the relegation zone on goal difference.
Tivoli Gardens on the other hand will want to retain premier league status as quickly as possible and the return of Glendon ‘Admiral’ Bailey has seen a return in good fortune to the club. While Bailey has not given any assurances of continuing beyond the end of the season, his presence at the club has gone a far way in restoring much needed confidence in the team. A win today would go a far war in ensuring that premier league football is played at the ‘Railway Oval’ next season.
All games begin at 3:30pm
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