Interesting clashes in DPL

Nodley Wright, Gleaner Writer

Today's Digicel Premier League (DPL) will feature a number of interesting matchups, including two derbies, contests between traditional powers and possibly season-defining clashes.

Among the games on today is the Collie Smith Drive derby between Boys' Town and Arnett Gardens. Any contest between these two teams is guaranteed to be a crowd-puller and money-spinner so much so that Boys' Town have given up their home advantage to play the game at the Tony Spaulding Sports Complex.

Boys' Town on 26 points and in third place are a clear 10 points ahead and six places above the hosts who hover just above the relegation zone on 16 points in ninth place. On the surface, those statistics and the fact that Boys' Town are coming off a 2-0 win over leaders Tivoli Gardens away from home, should give them the advantage in this game but statistics have never influenced games between these two.

Arnett Gardens won the previous meeting between the two teams and are looking a fitter and more focused team under the watch of Paul 'Tegat' Davis. The five points from their three second round games should be encouragement for them.

Favourably-positioned

The second derby of the day pits the more favourably-positioned Sporting Central against Humble Lion who find themselves in the relegation zone. Despite his team's superior position in the league, Sporting Central coach Donovan Duckie is taking nothing for granted against his neighbours.

"This is a very very important game, one of the most important games of the season," explained Duckie.

The game, he said, was important for a number of reasons beyond the obvious.

"Yes, the fact that it is the Clarendon derby and that bragging rights are important is a part of it; but other than that is the fact that I am also very close to the community of Farm, where Humble Lion is located, as my older brother lives there. I also get on very well with the players so we are rivals on the field but friends off it," said the man who previously guided St Georges to the DPL.

"There is also a special relationship between myself and Lennie Hyde. We are good friends and coached together at the national level, so there will be that contest as well, each of us trying to get the better of the other," he added.

Hyde aside, Duckie expressed confidence that his players will deliver the goods for him. Home advantage, he said, will be of importance and his players, though mostly young, are experienced. Even with key player and captain JeVaughn Watson missing, Duckie said that his team has enough quality.

As far as Hyde was concerned, nothing but a point will be good enough.

"A victory is even more important for us at this time as we have not been doing well. We are just picking a point at home in games that we shmould be winning," said Hyde, who has begun to hear the comments of the dissatisfied fans who expected a speedier transformation.

"It is the Clarendon derby so a lot is at stake. In the first round the game was drawn 1-1 at our home but we have to go for a win away. The concern though is that we have been only scoring one goal in the games that we have scored," he explained.

For that to change, Hyde said the forwards will have to get more support from the midfielders.

"We have the players like Denzil Watson and Kevin Mighty who have been getting some goals for us but the attacking midfielders need to get themselves in goalscoring positions and make use of the opportunities that will come their way," he added.

At the Harbour View Mini-Stadium, the defending champions, Harbour View, will hope to return to winning ways against former champions Portmore United who appear to have rediscovered their goalscoring form with Zane Gouldbourne providing support for Steven Morrissey and Ricardo Cousins. Harbour View, while playing well leading up to the final third, are lacking in consistency in front of goal.

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