JPL top-six musical chairs continues

FIFTH-PLACE PORTMORE United and sixth-place Waterhouse will look to overtake fourth-place Cavalier in the Jamaica Premier Sunday (JPL) table when they take on Chapelton and Harbour View, respectively, in one of three midweek games today.

Portmore play Chapelton at the Anthony Spaulding Complex while Waterhouse travel to Harbour View Mini-Stadium. In the day’s other game Dunbeholden entertain Vere at Dunbeholden Sports Complex. All starting at 3:00 p.m.

After winning for the first time in seven games the week before, Portmore scored back-to-back triumps with a 4-0 win over Harbour View on Sunday.

Coach Rodolph Austin said the period where they struggled for wins forced them to make changes and that those changes are starting to bear fruit. However, he said they will remain focused as they look to continue their winning run.

“The same we look for in every game (to win). Every game is very important. We do not take any team lightly. Every team is going to come hard and play against Portmore United. We just have to approach each game in a professional manner, “ he told Knockinz Tv.

“We won our last two games. We had been drawing a lot. But we changed a few things and by those changes we are reaping the reward. We are very prepared (for the game). We train well and we try to have a professional standard and hold everyone accountable, including myself.

“That’s the environment we create here. No slacking off. No satisfaction. We just keep going each and every day in a professional manner.”

Chapelton have 17 points and are eighth in the JPL standing. They are 13 points behind Portmore, who are tied on 30 points with Waterhouse.

Cavalier, who are two points ahead of the two teams, play Mount Pleasant on Thursday.

Local rivalry

At Harbour View, the traditional local rivalry between Waterhouse and the home team is no longer the spectacle it used to be, especially with Harbour View struggling to keep their place in the top flight.

The 4-0 defeat to Portmore last weekend was Harbour View’s fourth in a row, and their eighth match without a win. And although Waterhouse have been far from their best, they are a far superior outfit and should extent Harbour View’s winless run.

Harbour View currently occupy last place with 13 points.

The other game between 11th-place Vere and 12th-place Dunbeholden will see two teams desperate for points and wins. Vere, who have four defeats and one win in their last five, sit on 16 points, while Dunbeholden with five defeats and one draw from their last six, are one point adrift off their opponents, and sit one point and one place outside the relegation zone.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com

TODAY’S GAMES

Chapelton vs Portmore at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex

Dunbeholden vs Vere at Dunbeholden Sports Complex

Harbour View vs Waterhouse at Harbour View Mini-Stadium

All games begin at 3:00 p.m.