Portmore, UWI renew rivalry
After slumping to their first loss of the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) season, University of the West Indies (UWI) FC will be seeking to return to winning ways when they battle leaders Portmore United in a mouth-watering contest at the Spanish Town Prison Oval today at 3:00 pm.
It will be the lone early fixture on today’s midweek schedule, with all other games set to kick off in cool evening conditions across the island.
Second-placed Arnett Gardens (12 points) are riding high and will be hoping to extend their unbeaten record when they welcome fourth-placed Reno FC (nine points) at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex for a 6:00 pm encounter.
Former champions Montego Bay United, who are occupying eighth spot on seven points, have been enduring a less-than- pleasing campaign by their standards, but appear to be on the rebound.
They will now take aim at fifth-placed Tivoli Gardens (eight points) in their hunt for a third-consecutive victory in a 6:30 pm contest at the Montego Bay Sports Complex in Catherine Hall, as they seek to move closer to the leaders.
In the 7:00 pm contest, seventh-placed Harbour View (seven points) will welcome ninth-placed Boys’ Town FC (five points) for what should be a keenly contested encounter at the Harbour View Stadium.
However, most attention is expected to be on last year’s beaten finalists and leaders Portmore United (13 points), who are bang in form with four wins and one draw from five outings so far.
Despite their previous contest against Boys’ Town being postponed due to a waterlogged field at Barbican Stadium, the Shavar Thomas-coached Portmore United will by no means be hindered, and should prove a handful for the university team.
Having occupied second position for most of the way so far, UWI missed the opportunity to take over pole position, following a brutal 1-4 loss to reigning champions Arnett Gardens on Sunday, and as such were relegated to third position on the 12-team standings on 11 points.
But it was their first loss of the season and Head Coach Marcel Gayle will be rallying his troops for a rebound victory.
On an interesting note, both teams will also be renewing their rivalry as today’s fixture is a repeat of one of last year’s semi-final battles in which Portmore United got the better of UWI FC.
Meanwhile, promoted outfit Sandals South Coast FC, on three points, and Waterhouse FC, on four points, will be in an intriguing bottom-of-the-table clash at Frome Complex tomorrow at 3:00 pm.
The other fixture on tomorrow will see another promoted team, Cavalier SC, in sixth position on seven points, hunting a second-consecutive win when they welcome ninth-placed Humble Lion (five points) to Stadium East for a 5:00 pm contest.
— Sherdon Cowan
Today’s games
3:00 pm — Portmore United vs UWI FC @ Prison Oval
6:00 pm — Arnett Gardens FC vs Reno FC @ Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex
6:30 pm — Montego Bay United vs Tivoli Gardens FC @ Montego Bay Sports Complex
7:00 pm — Harbour View vs Boys’ Town FC @ Harbour View Stadium
Tomorrow’s games
3:00 pm — Sandals South Coast vs Waterhouse @ Frome
5:00 pm — Cavalier vs Humble Lion @ Stadium East