Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer
( L - R ) RICHARDSON, DEERR, NELSON AND WILSON
WITH THE Jamaica Football Federation Congress set to take place Sunday, January 15, Wray and Nephew National Premier League games scheduled for that day have been brought forward to today and tomorrow.
Today Portmore United will host Arnett Gardens, while Village United play away to Constant Spring.
Of the two games, the Portmore United/Arnett Gardens clash is expected to be more of a crowd pleaser. It features two teams on different sides of a crisis. Arnett Gardens appear to be emerging from one, while one appears to have a stranglehold on the defending champions, Portmore United.
After a series of ordinary and poor results, Arnett Gardens were a new team on Sunday last as they blasted Reno 5-1. Coach Michael Tulloch said the victory was long overdue and has opened their appetite for more.
EXCELLENT CHANCE
"We need to win this one," said an energised Tulloch. "We might not be able to win the league again this year, but we still have an excellent chance of finishing second and getting into the Caribbean Club championships which is our goal right now," he added.
Both teams are level on points but fifth-placed Portmore enjoy a better position by virtue of having a better goal difference. Portmore have scored one more goal than Arnett Gardens but have conceded eight less.
Despite the statistics, of which he is well aware, Tulloch is confident his players will get the job done.
"Once the application is right we can do great things and we know that. Portmore's home ground is a happy hunting ground for us and we intend to keep it that way.
"They are on their way down so we cannot allow them to lift themselves against us. We have to keep them down," the confident former soldier said.
Portmore's Paul Young is not easily fazed and if he can transfer a degree of his cool to his players then they could rebound on their home turf.
"Playing Arnett Gardens is one of those games where whoever wants it more will win. We have always played well against them and based on our preparations, today should be no different," said Young who has won the league as both player and coach.
In the first encounter both teams ended 2-2 at Arnett Gardens. This time around, with even more talent at their disposal, Young is of the opinion that once his players perform up to par the game will be theirs.
"It is a winnable game for us. As long as we do what we are supposed to then we should win. What has been happening is that we have not been concentrating for long periods.
Against Waterhouse on Sunday last we were good for an hour then after that we lost it," Young explained.
BIGGEST SIGNING
In addition to that a number of players including the biggest signing in the transfer window, Onandi Lowe, have been short of match fitness. With an appreciation of the position they have found themselves in, Young said they have promised a much-improved performance.
"They have given me their word and I expect a good performance from them," said Young who will have the strongest possible squad to choose from with the exception of the injured goalkeeper Shawn Sawyers and the suspended Omar Daley.
At his disposal will be Christopher Dawes, Lowe, Kevin Deerr, Wolry Wolfe, Roen Nelson, Adrien Mitchell, Anthony Modeste and Jason Morrison.
Kevin Wilson marked his return to form and the playing field with a double on Sunday against Reno. Kwame Richardson also had a double and with Jonathan Williams, Everton Bunsie, Julian McLeish, Patrick Graham, Cornel Chin-Sue and Gregg Taylor, they should give Portmore a fight.
Constant Spring have been anything but constant, not even in defeat. They have produced some inspired play on some days and awful ones on others. If they show up to play then Village could be in for a surprise.
Village on the other hand, have the ammunition to outgun them, what with Fabian Dawkins, the league's leading scorer, Newton Sterling, who is enjoying good form and Teofore Bennett.
TODAY'S GAMES
Portmore United vs Arnett Gardens at Ferdie Neita Park (3:00 p.m.)
Constant Spring vs Village United at Constant Spring (3:00 p.m.)
STANDINGS
| Teams | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| Harbour View | 21 | 16 | 3 | 2 | 37 | 13 | 24 | 51 |
| Waterhouse | 21 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 35 | 21 | 14 | 42 |
| Village | 21 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 35 | 26 | 9 | 34 |
| Portmore | 21 | 7 | 10 | 4 | 28 | 20 | 8 | 31 |
| Arnett Gardens | 21 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 29 | 28 | 1 | 31 |
| Tivoli Gardens | 21 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 34 | 27 | 7 | 29 |
| Boys' Town | 21 | 6 | 9 | 6 | 21 | 21 | 0 | 27 |
| Seba | 21 | 7 | 4 | 10 | 26 | 31 | -5 | 25 |
| Reno | 21 | 5 | 6 | 10 | 16 | 21 | -5 | 21 |
| Wadadah | 21 | 4 | 6 | 11 | 18 | 33 | -15 | 18 |
| Rivoli | 21 | 2 | 9 | 10 | 15 | 35 | -20 | 15 |
| Constant Spring | 21 | 1 | 10 | 10 | 15 | 32 | -17 | 13 |
