Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer
Defender Clifton Waugh of Harbour View (left) and Waterhouse 's Roberto Fletcher race to the ball during a Wray and Nephew National Premier League game played at Drewsland on January 26. - WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
THERE IS no game bigger than the Waterhouse/Harbour View clash in today's 20th set of matches in the Wray and Nephew National Premier League.
It features the top two teams in the second round of the competition and this game could also be a warm-up for the end of second round final.
As if to mark the significance of this game, club sponsors Tru Juice has decided to announce a three-year $3 milllion sponsorship of the club at the game and offer goodies for those who buy the product at the game.
The company will also have the Tru Juice cheerleaders and the Camperdown High School cheerleaders performing before the game and during the halftime break.
CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE
As to the game itself, which kicks off at 5:30 p.m., it is one that Waterhouse cannot afford to lose and coach Wayne Fairclough and his charges are fully aware of the task ahead.
"We are going for three points as we need to win to stay close to Harbour View who look as if they intend to run away with the title," Fairclough told The Sunday Gleaner.
"Right now the players are very motivated for this game, and are promising non-stop action," added the coach who will go into his fourth game since being confirmed as head coach.
To the outsider, it would appear as if Waterhouse had a slight dip in form following their come from behind 2-2 draw with last-placed Constant Spring, followed by a narrow 1-0 win over second to last Rivoli United. To Fairclough, however, there were more positives than negatives coming out of those games.
"We came from behind to draw with Constant Spring and to beat Rivoli 1-0, but the truth is that over the past three years those teams have played their best games when they come up against us," he said. "In those games our team showed character and grit to come back and draw with Constant Spring and add the Reno game to that where we came back from 0-1 to win 2-1. This is a difficult thing to do at Reno."
One of those teams, Rivoli, gave Harbour View a scare last week leading them 1-0 before they managed to hang on for a draw. According to Harbour View's coach Donovan Hayles, his players were just flat in that game and today's fixture should see no hangover of that form.
POSITIVE FRAME OF MIND
"The frame of mind of the players is positive. They did not want that result, but they knew that a situation like that was bound to come. The good thing is that they kept disciplined and the attitude was good throughout," Hayles said.
As far as Hayles is concerned, the position of Waterhouse will suit Harbour View perfectly.
"For a game such as this Waterhouse must come out attacking and I am welcoming that," he said. "That would be an opportunity for us to be positive and attacking. If the team sits back and allows you to do all the attacking it could be more difficult for us, but they have no choice but to attack."
Such an approach would suit the play of the Luton Shelton and any of Kevin King, Kemar Peterekin, Leon Strickland or Leon West who partners him up front.
In midfield, too, Harbour View have good goalscoring potential with Lovel Palmer and Marcelino Blackburn. In defence they are solid with the line led by Jermaine Taylor and backed up by Ryan Thompson.
Waterhouse are no less talented as in their possible line-up are the dangerous and experienced Jomo Gordon and Kevin Lamey up front; the young and talented midfielders Vincent Earle, Demar Phillips, Weston Forrest and Damion Williams to choose from. Defensivley they are also strong with the fearless and intimidating Craig White leading the charge with either Richard McCallum or Maurice Evans covering them in goal.
Pride, the fact that they are playing at home and that they have a 3-1 beating to avenge could give Waterhouse the edge in this one.
EXCITING, TOUGH MATCHES
The Montego Bay derby between Wadadah and Seba should be exciting and tough with both teams battling for bragging rights and to stay above the relegation zone.
A return to the Edward Seaga Stadium should be good for Tivoli following a forgettable mid-week result.
They should also be boosted by the fact that today's opponents have not won away from home all season. Then again nothing lasts forever.
The Constant Spring/Arnett Gardens game should go to Arnett Gardens, but Constant Spring could just spring a surprise, while Portmore United should be too strong for Reno.
TODAY'S GAMES
Tivoli Gardens vs Village United at Edward Seaga Stadium - 3:30 p.m.
Wadadah vs Seba United at Jarrett Park - 5:00 p.m.
Constant Spring vs Arnett Gardens at The Spring Complex - 3:00 p.m.
Reno vs Portmore United at Frome - 3:00 p.m.
Waterhouse vs Harbour View at Drewsland - 5:30 p.m.
Boys' Town vs Rivoli United at Collie Smith Drive - 3:30 p.m.
STANDINGS
| P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| Harbour View | 19 | 16 | 1 | 2 | 33 | 9 | 24 | 49 |
| Waterhouse | 19 | 11 | 5 | 3 | 30 | 18 | 12 | 38 |
| Portmore | 18 | 7 | 9 | 2 | 25 | 14 | 11 | 30 |
| Village | 19 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 30 | 22 | 8 | 30 |
| Tivoli Gardens | 19 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 31 | 23 | 8 | 28 |
| Arnett Gardens | 19 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 23 | 26 | -3 | 27 |
| Reno | 19 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 15 | -1 | 20 |
| Boys' Town | 18 | 4 | 8 | 6 | 16 | 18 | -2 | 20 |
| Seba | 19 | 5 | 4 | 10 | 23 | 31 | -8 | 19 |
| Wadadah | 19 | 4 | 5 | 10 | 16 | 30 | -14 | 17 |
| Rivoli | 19 | 2 | 8 | 9 | 14 | 33 | -19 | 14 |
| Constant Spring | 19 | 1 | 9 | 9 | 14 | 29 | -15 | 12 |
