Nodley Wright, Staff ReporterMATCH UPS between National Premier League teams will highlight the Jamaica National Building Society Federation Cup which enters its third round today with eight games all set for Of the eight games today four are all Premier League clashes.
Among them are Tivoli Gardens against Rivoli United at Railway Oval, Waterhouse hosting Constant Spring at Emmet Park, Seba vs Wadadah at Jarrett Park and Reno hosting Bull Bay at Frome.
Other games will see NPL second-round winners and top-ranked team Hazard United hosting Russia at Ferdie Neita Park while second-ranked Harbour View host Trelawny's Harmony at Harbour View. The army will march to the home of the NPL defending champions Arnett Gardens to take them on while Village United entertain Kaiser at the Elletson Wakeland field.
Besides Emmet Park, where Waterhouse will be getting back to action following their Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) Jackie Bell Knockout championship win over Arnett Gardens, most attention will be turned to Railway Oval. At Railway Oval, Tivoli Gardens are under new coach Mark Mendel following their parting of ways with former coach Geoffrey Maxwell.
Mendel stepped in after Tivoli's loss to Waterhouse in the semi-final of the Jackie Bell KO and sat on the bench for that team's win in the end of second round final of the Under-21 competition. This will be his first big match since taking over - a second time.
Ten years ago, Mendel took Tivoli Gardens back to the NPL on the way to winning the then Major League and Jackie Bell titles.
"I was asked to help with some problems Mr. Maxwell had with the players and accepted. Maxwell left and I took over. Although it's not easy coming in at the third round, I'm looking forward to the challenge," said the man who once coached Swallowfield and assisted Rene Simoes with Jamaica's Under-23 programme.
Today's game is no big worry for Mendel. "We're prepared for Rivoli," he said. "I've been watching them for a while and even coached for a season at Old Harbour in the St. Catherine League. I know some of the players personally. They're a talented team."
Like Mendel, Bradley Stewart of Rivoli came into the season late. He took over Rivoli at the start of the second round and despite his team playing good-looking football, it has been unable to make its mark in the NPL.
