Tivoli, Racing fight for sixth reaches fever pitch

THE INTRIGUING three-team battle for sixth place in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) continues this afternoon, with Tivoli Gardens, who sit in the coveted sixth spot on 42 points, up against Racing United, one place and one point behind in seventh, at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex today at 3:30 p.m.

For the majority of the second round, Waterhouse held sixth place in the table until they were unseated after losing to Racing in this, the third.

Then, on the weekend, Waterhouse lost to Tivoli, who climbed to seventh with the win and Waterhouse sunk to eight.

However, Racing have had their last two matches against Mount Pleasant and Cavalier postponed, with the pair short-staffed on account of national duties. That allowed Tivoli (42 points) to overtake Racing (41 points) in sixth.

While Waterhouse (41 points) ensured they stayed in the mix with a victory over Vere United in a heated contest on Thursday.

The hectic scheduling of this season’s JPL has been a major struggle for the clubs, who constantly point to injuries and fatigue, a fact which may well impact this encounter.

While Racing have had a whole week to recuperate, coach Anthony Patrick said, though the rest has been good, he hopes they haven’t lost their momentum after seeing his team go 12 games unbeaten, including seven wins.

“You can look at it both ways. It can stop your momentum and it can give adequate rest for the youth to perform at a higher tempo.

“We just have to continue doing what we are doing. Continue to work hard and train hard and hope for the best.

“If we want to be in that sixth spot at the end of the preliminary round, we have to continue doing what we are doing and continue to get maximum points,” he said.

Racing lost the first game between the teams 1-0, but won the return 2-0.

However, going to the Edward Seaga Sports Complex adds more difficulty to the challenge.

Patrick noted that, even though the aim is to get three points, it’s important not to lose.

“It would be nice if we can get the three points. But we are going there, not to give away our three, but to get three. If anything and we have to settle for one, so be it. But, definitely, we are going for three.

“It is going to be a really tough one, especially with (Anthony) Nelson back in the squad and (Nichalia) Fuller at his best. I think they are going to be a handful, but we are up for the challenge

“I back our defensive unit. They have been doing very well. Hopefully, we can nullify those two and what they throw at us.

“And, hopefully, our offence with Nickyle Ellis, Ronaldo Biggs, Tajay Grant, Kadeem Young, Damore Smith, and Chevaughn Spence can get the job done,” he said.

Tivoli coach Jerome Waite also believes the week’s rest for Racing can work both ways. However, he said his charges are starting to find their attacking thrust, and he is convinced that, once they can stay tight at the back, they can take full points.

“This is a game we are looking forward to. We are in sixth position and the other team is in seventh. It basically means it is a must-win for us, to ensure we extend the points difference to four.

“It (rest) can be a situation where momentum is lost. But the fact that they are fully rested means they can put up a stunning fight.

“The main objective is three points. We have scored 10 goals in the last three games. So that speaks volumes, but we still need to tidy up in defence.

“If this team is going to do well, it’s how well they do defensively because, offensively, we have found a rhythm,” he stated.

He added also that “I am looking for the Tivoli family to come out and support the team, because we are going to need that 12th man behind the team.”

In other games, last-place (14th) Vere United, with 22 points, take on ninth-place Dunbeholden, on 32 points, at the Wembley Centre of Excellence at 3:30 p.m. Dunbeholden have lost five straight games.

Humble Lion, who are 13th on 24 points, will aim for their fourth win in seven games when they take on second-place Montego Bay United (63 points) at the Effortville Community Centre at 3:30 p.m.

Fourth-place Portmore (53 points) will look to make it four wins in a row when they entertain Chapelton Maroons at Ferdi Neita Park at 3:30 p.m. Chapelton are 12th in the standings on 26 points.

The game between Cavalier and Mount Pleasant has been postponed.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com

TODAY’S GAMES

Vere vs Dunbeholden at Wembley Centre of Excellence at (3:30 p.m.)

Humble Lion vs MoBay at Effortville Community Centre (3:30 p.m.)

Tivoli vs Racing at Edward Seaga Sports Complex at (3:30 p.m.)

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

Cavalier vs Mount Pleasant (postponed)