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Seventh heaven? - Red-hot Tivoli face Portmore United in RSPL

Published:Tuesday | December 20, 2016 | 12:00 AMMarc Stamp
Tivoli Gardens Football Club’s Jermaine Johnson.

High-riding Tivoli Gardens will look to continue their winning streak when they face Portmore United at the Spanish Town Prison Oval today in the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL), starting at 3 p.m.

It is one of six games scheduled on match-day 17.

Tivoli Gardens picked up their sixth consecutive wins in the RSPL when they hammered Harbour View 4-0 at the Edward Seaga sports Complex last Sunday. Now, the West Kingston-based outfit are on the hunt for a seventh straight win.

Since Omar Edwards was hired as head coach of Tivoli during the summer, the team has improved this season after flirting with relegation in the last edition of the league. Edwards has commanded the respect of his players, and the team has been performing well to be in second place on 32 points . Leaders Montego Bay United (MBU) who are on 34 points.

Tivoli will look towards former Reggae Boy and international player Jermaine 'Teddy' Johnson, who is the RSPL's joint leading scorer on eight goals, the same as Shamar Nicholson of Boys' Town. Johnson is expected to get support from Mitchily Waul and Elton Thompson.

Portmore United, on the other hand, have been inconsistent and are coming off a 0-0 draw against struggling Waterhouse last Sunday. The Portmore team, under coach Lenworth Hyde Jnr, are in fifth position on 26 points and will look to secure three points at home.

Portmore's top players include Ewan Grandison, Javon East and Suela McCalla.

In another game, leaders Montego Bay United will travel away to play against last-placed Boys' Town at the Barbican Complex in St Andrew.

Although MBU hold a commanding lead on points over Boys' Town, who are on 11 points, it could be a close affair.

MBU's main players include national representatives Dino Williams, Allan Ottey and Dwayne Ambusley.

Boys' Town will look for a rare win with players such as Shamar Nicholson, Garfield Gillespie and captain Michael Campbell.

Humble Lion will host Arnett Gardens in what should certainly prove to be a close and interesting contest.

Maverley-Hughenden, who seems to be a different team since Anthony Patrick took over as coach from the sacked Lijyasu Simms, will look for a third straight win when they host Harbour View at the Constant Sports Spring Complex.

 

Today's games

 

3 p.m.

- Boys' Town vs Montego Bay United at Barbican Complex

- Maverley-Hughenden vs Harbour View at Constant Spring Sports Complex

- Humble Lion vs Arnett Gardens at Effortville Community Centre, Clarendon

- Portmore United vs Tivoli Gardens at Prison Oval in Spanish Town

- UWI FC vs Reno FC at the UWI Bowl, Mona

 

6 p.m.

- Waterhouse vs Jamalco at Drewsland Stadium