Arnett look to seal top spot in RSPL

The relationship between neighbours and rivals of different political persuasion has been at its best for close to a decade but Tivoli Gardens can expect no favours from Arnett Gardens when they meet this afternoon in the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL).

Fifth-placed Tivoli Gardens improved their chances of getting into the top four with a midweek win over Cavalier and just two points below Humble Lion with three game days to go. Arnett Gardens are the runaway leaders with 60 points, six ahead of nearest rivals Waterhouse and another win would ensure they end the season at top of the table, a position that would guarantee them one million dollars.

"Over the years these are two tough teams when they meet. It is more than about football. Getting three points in this game would mean that no other team can pass us and that is our main objective," Jerome Waite, coach of Arnett Gardens said ahead of the game.

"We will stay competitive and we always ensure that we put our best foot forward and a million dollars is also at hand and finishing with the most points will afford that and who would want to give up," continued Waite reinforcing the importance of the game to his club.

semi-final round

Tivoli Gardens' Christopher Jackson had stated earlier in the season that on their day they can take down any team and that they were looking forward to getting into the semi-final round. Today would be the right day and time to back up those words. Schoolboy Junior Flemmings gave them the victory on Thursday against Cavalier but his more experienced colleagues will have to stand beside him against an Arnett Gardens team that should be at full strength but for the absence of Kevin Wilson.

Harbour View, another club in contention for a top four position will play away to Rivoli United, a club they have found it difficult to beat. The 'Stars of the East' one of the most consistent clubs in the League over the years, have not helped themselves this season and last week's loss to Boys' Town have really put them in a difficult spot.

Rivoli United can achieve a maximum of 46 points, the same as fourth-placed Rivoli but there is very little likelihood of all the teams above them finishing above all the teams in a higher position than themselves.

Humble Lions, the team sitting in the coveted fourth spot, play at home to relegation shoo-ins Barbican FC and should be expected to increase their points tally and tighten their grip on the spot. Effortville, Humble Lions' home ground, has become like a fortress under the guidance of coach Donovan Duckie and with the experience and quality of Devon Hodges, Ricardo Cousins and Wolry Wolfe, Barbican are expected to finish second best.