By Nodley Wright, Staff Reporter IT WILL be no flower show when the Gardens, defending champions Arnett and Tivoli, meet in the Wray and Nephew National Premier League at Up Park Camp today at 3:00 p.m.
Matches between these two teams are keenly contested - often bordering on the explosive; mainly through spectator activity - hence the venue which will be free of spectators.
At first glance, the defending champions should be favoured to win. They lead the competition with 19 points, two ahead of Harbour View and Hazard with a game in hand. Additionally, they have scored the most goals 16, and conceded four for a goal difference of plus-12, which also is the best in the league.
Tivoli Gardens, on the other hand, have been quite tidy in defence, conceding just three goals. However, on the offensive Tivoli Gardens have struggled, scoring just five times and have drawn their past three games 0-0.
Jerome Waite, the ever-cautious coach of Arnett, will not be reading too much into the past performances of the opponents as he knows anything can happen when these teams meet.
"Tivoli are a team that always play their best against Arnett Gardens," said Waite before adding, "we expect a good game from both teams."
Despite the fact that Arnett Gardens are leading, Waite still feels there is room for improvement. "I don't think we've found the right chemistry but we're doing well and expect a good game."
Like Waite, Maxwell is expecting a good game.
"Both teams usually play this game in terms of what you call a derby. Both teams have a good football background, they're also very attacking. I think the teams are very well balanced in terms of player ability and if both teams play to their true potential, it will be a good spectacle," Maxwell said.
Spectacle aside, Maxwell is looking for just one result - a win. having witnessed Arnett's game over the weekend when they stopped Village 2-0 in the clash of the undefeated teams, Maxwell believes he has what it takes to win.
"I have my thoughts about how we intend to approach the game and feel very confident about coming away winners. Having seen Arnett play I feel confident of coming away winners. It will not be an easy game because I think both teams respect each other.
"I've seen Arnett play and I've seen where there are quite a few errors ... and the intention is to exploit that," Maxwell said.
Waite is aware that Maxwell observed his last game and took notes. He gave Maxwell credit for being a good analyst but added that there is more up his sleeve.
"I think he's done well in terms of analysing our team but I think we've a lot more plans ... we always have an element of surprise," Waite said.
That Arnett Gardens' element of surprise could come from the tricky forwards Walter Boyd and Kevin Wilson or midfielder Fabian Davis. Tivoli Gardens, with Christopher Nicholas, Steve Green, Layton Barrett and Roland Dean, are capable of doing similar things.
