Waterhouse seek recovery

WATERHOUSE WILL be aiming to reclaim their place in the top six of the Jamaica Premier League (JPL), while Tivoli Gardens will be looking to sink them further down the table when the two meet in the cross-town derby at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex at 3:30 p.m.

Waterhouse, who are now seventh with 38 points, were knocked out of the top six after suffering a 3-0 defeat on Thursday to Racing United, who replaced them in the playoff spots on 41 points.

Today they face a Tivoli team just two points and one place below them and looking to chart their way into the top six.

Tivoli coach Jerome Waite said the game was an opportunity they were looking to make the most of, especially playing at home, where they have not lost.

“Three teams (Racing, Waterhouse, and Tivoli) are vying for the sixth position, and it’s an opportunity where we can climb above Waterhouse and this will speak volumes for the team.

“We have had our share of problems as it relates to injuries but the team is getting back where it ought to be, and playing at home is always an advantage.

“It’s an opportunity to play at home, and so far, the few games we have played, we have been unbeaten. We just need to ensure we get the three points,” he said.

Waterhouse have won just once in their last 10 matches, but Waite said it would be foolish to take them lightly.

“Waterhouse is not a team that is going to lay down and die. They are going to come fighting because the fact that they are in seventh position, they are still fighting for the spot. So it will not be an easy game,” he added.

Waterhouse coach Marcel Gayle said his team is eager to overcome the disappointment on Thursday and take back their place among the top six.

“On Thursday we got a heavy defeat and we are disappointed. But we are looking forward to the next fixture. We expect a tough game. It’s the cross-town derby. Waterhoue and Tivoli is always a gunslinger and we expect a keen and tough encounter.

“The players are upbeat. I liked what I saw this morning (yesterday). They are confident and want to go out and perform for the club,” he said.

Gayle said simple errors and a string of injuries among his senior player have been the main cause for their struggles this season.

“We are making some simple errors that have cost us points. We need less mistakes and capitalise on our chances. It’s these errors we have to fix. Plus we have several injured players Andre Fletcher, Denardo Thomas, Elvis Wilson, Kimani Campbell, and goalkeeper Kemar Foster. And you can’t replace those players. We need to be disciplined and make less mistakes and be brave in front of the goal if we want the three points,” he commented .

At the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex, fifth-place Cavalier (45 points), fresh off their Concacaf Champions Cup round-of-16 game against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, go up against ninth-place Dunbeholden (32 points), who are on a run of three straight defeats that see their chance for a top-six finish slipping away.

In the opening game of the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex doubleheader, 11th-place Molynes will be expected to get the better of 12th-place Chapelton, who are looking to avoid a sixth straight defeat and a 10th game without a win.

Portmore, who are fourth on 47 points and have been buoyed by their win over leaders Mount Pleasant on the last match day, will be favoured to continue their winning ways against Vere, who are second from bottom on 22 points and have lost four of their last five.

Harbour View, who are 10th with 28 points, will start favourites against Humble Lion, who sit at the bottom of the table on 21 points. However, Humble Lion have shown fight over the last few weeks, with two wins in their last four matches, and should make a contest of it at home.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com

TODAY’S GAMES

Molynes vs Chapelton at Anthony Spaulding (3 p.m.)

Cavalier vs Dunbeholden at Anthony Spaulding (5:30 p.m.)

Tivoli vs Waterhouse at Edward Seaga (3:30 p.m.)

Portmore vs Vere at Ferdi Neita Park (3:30 p.m.)

Humble Lion vs Harbour View at Effortville (3:30 p.m.)