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Fortress Effortville ready to repel Waterhouse

Published:Sunday | September 22, 2019 | 12:00 AMNodley Wright - Gleaner Writer
Humble Lion’s coach Andrew Price.
Shorn Hector/Photographer André Fletcher (left) of Waterhouse FC shields the ball from Vere United defender Ray Campbell during their Red Stripe Premier League encounter at the Waterhouse Mini-Stadium on Thursday, September 12.
Coach Marcel Gayle of Waterhouse.
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Former champions and last year’s beaten finalists, Waterhouse, are the only team keeping the promoted team and neighbours Molynes United off the top of the 2019-2020 Red Stripe Premier League table and they aim to keep it that way.

Just last week, they dismantled Harbour View 7-0, and according to coach Marcel Gayle, they need to quickly set that aside and focus on their next target: Humble Lion.

“This is a very important fixture. Humble Lion are very robust, a very tough, strong, and physical team, but we are mindful of them,” Gayle said of today’s opponents.

“Obviously, because of what we have done so far, other teams will be looking at us differently, but we just want to go there and play good football. Yes, the margin of victory over Harbour View is important, and it helped our confidence, but that is behind us now. This is a new challenge,” added Gayle, whose team will also be involved in a Concacaf League semi-final against FC Motagua of Honduras on Wednesday.

So far, new signings Colorado Murray, Stephen Williams, and Kenroy Howell have been providing the firepower while Keithy Simpson has been steadying the team in midfield, with good support from Tramaine Stewart, and Gayle is expecting more of the same.

“We just want to execute from start to finish. We do not want to take anything for granted. Yes, we had a big win against Harbour View, but today is a different day, against a different team, and we have to remain focused.”

Humble Lion’s Andrew Price has had a good response from his team as they remain unbeaten.

“It is going to be a competitive game involving two unbeaten teams. Like us, Waterhouse are unbeaten and have been playing well, so they are coming with a lot of confidence, but we want to turn Effortville into a fortress,” said Price, who took charge of the team in preseason.

Added Price: “The players have responded well to what I have asked of them, and I expect that to continue. They are a committed bunch, and those who have joined the group, such as Andre Clennon, have come in and displayed a similar hunger and drive.”

Price also indicated that Waterhouse could also have one eye on the Concacaf League game, and such divided attention, he hinted, could play into the hands of the home team.

At the Edward Seaga Stadium, the still pointless Tivoli Gardens will be aiming to get off the mark when they host the rebuilding Cavalier FC.

TOUGH MOLYNES UNITED

Arnett Gardens, the better of the two gardens so far this season, will be travelling to Drewsland to face the very tough Molynes United. Molynes United have had a perfect start, winning all three of their matches so far, including a 3-0 blanking of the defending champions and a come-from-behind 3-2 win over UWI FC while Arnett Gardens have lost once, won once, and drawn the other while scoring two goals in their three matches so far. This should be a tough test.

Dunbeholden put their first points on the board last week with a 1-0 win over the defending champions, who appear to be on life support. Visiting them this week will be the plucky Vere United, who, like fellow promoted team Molynes United, have made it clear that they are neither here to make up numbers or to be anyone’s beating stick.

It is often said that there is light at the end of the tunnel, and Harbour View, still hurting from the whipping put on them by Waterhouse, must be hoping that the light they are seeing are the candles being held by Portmore United, who are trying to navigate their way out of their tunnel of despair. Only a handsome win for the Howard Cephas-coached Harbour View can ease the pain of last week’s pummelling.

Today’s games

- 3:30 pm Dunbeholden vs Vere United - Royal Lakes Complex

- 7:00 pm Harbour View vs Portmore United - Harbour View Stadium

- 3:30 pm Humble Lion vs Waterhouse – Effortville Community Centre

- 3:30 pm Molynes United vs Arnett Gardens – Waterhouse Stadium

- 3:30 pm Tivoli Gardens vs Cavalier – Edward Seaga Sports Complex

Tomorrow’s game

- 8:30 pm UWI FC vs Mount Pleasant F.A – Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex

 

 

POINTS STANDING

Teams P W D L GF GA GD Pts

Waterhouse 3 3 0 0 10 0 10 9

 

Molynes FC 3 3 0 0 7 2 5 9

 

H.View 3 2 0 1 5 8 -3 6

 

H. Lion 3 1 2 0 5 3 2 5

 

UWIFC 3 1 1 1 6 3 3 4

 

Mt. Pleasant 3 1 1 1 3 3 0 4

 

Cavalier 3 1 1 1 4 5 -1 4

 

Arnett 3 1 1 1 2 3 -1 4

 

Vere United 3 1 0 2 2 3 -1 3

 

Dunbeholden 3 1 0 2 2 4 -2 3

 

Portmore 3 0 0 3 0 6 -6 0

 

Tivoli 3 0 0 3 0 6 -6 0