Howard Walker, Staff Reporter

( L - R ) Bailey and Downswell

Revenge-seeking Reno FC welcome Arnett Gardens to St. Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) in the feature game as the Wray and Nephew National Premier League (NPL) continues today with five matches.

In the other games: Waterhouse host Wadadah; Harbour View travel to Village; Portmore tackle Boys' Town and August Town play Tivoli Gardens.

Third-place Reno, on 31 points with a game in hand, trail Waterhouse and Harbour View by three points and a win today would keep them in striking distance.

But that will not come easy against an Arnett Gardens team lying in sixth position on 24 points and growing in confidence.

In fact, Arnett is the last team to defeat Reno - 3-2 last October - but since then the Westmoreland team has rattled up an impressive run.

They have turned back Seba 3-2, August Town 2-0, Village 5-0, Harbour View 2-1, Tivoli Gardens 1-0, Naggo Head 2-0 while drawing with Portmore 0-0.

Despite that, coach Wendell Downswell says he has a tough challenge on his hands but is confident of avenging their last defeat.

Said Downswell: "Traditionally Arnett Gardens and Reno is what I considered a classic match-up and, of course, Arnett are on the improve. We have been having a dream season, therefore that leads us to a very high-quality game."

Looking to atone

He continued: "It's our home game, and the fact that we have been getting maximum points at STETHS, and the fact that we lost to Arnett, the last time we were beaten nine or 10 matches ago, therefore we are seeking revenge."

Arnett Gardens have been showing some indifferent form but still remain a dangerous team, and on their day they can beat any side in the league. But today they will be without their leading marksman and the league's top scorer in Leon Strickland, who went missing after their Jackie Bell Knockout loss to the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) recently.

Strickland was heckled throughout the game by spectators and when the game went into penalty kicks, he refused to take his, saying the spectators should take it. Since then the coach says he hasn't heard or seen him.

"We would have love to have him but based on what is happening right now we cannot even think about that. We just have to put other people in place and try to play around him. The show has to go on," said coach Glendon 'Admiral' Bailey.

"It won't be an easy game as Reno are really on top of their game. Even the last time we played them at home and beat them they really pushed us to the limit, so they are a team we cannot take lightly," added Bailey.

While Arnett will be missing Strickland, Reno will be welcoming back Patrick Graham, who recently played at Arnett Gardens.

"His experience will go a long way in guiding the youngsters that we have here. We just want to get him in good shape. He will be an integral part of the team," said Downswell.

Meanwhile, league leaders Waterhouse should secure maximum points from Wadadah while Harbour View could find it a bit sticky against home team Village.

August Town, fresh from their 2-0 upset of Boys' Town, will be seeking revenge against Tivoli Gardens also. The last time they met Tivoli won 1-0.

Fourth-place Portmore United will be looking to rebound with a win against a homeless Boys' Town outfit struggling at the moment in eighth place on 19 points.

TODAY'S GAMES

Portmore United vs. Boys Town - F.N.P. at 3:00 p.m.

August Town vs. Tivoli Gardens - UWI Bowl at 3:00 p.m.

Reno vs. Arnett Gardens - STETHS at 3:00 p.m.

Village United vs. Harbour View - Elliston Wakeland Centre at 3:00 p.m.

Waterhouse vs. Wadadah - Waterhouse at 6:00 p.m.