‘Waterhouse can hurt anybody’

DESPITE WATERHOUSE’S unsteady start to the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) season, Arnett Gardens assistant coach, Eric Rademakers, believes the Drewsland club has the quality to hurt any team and cannot be taken lighty when they square off at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex today at 5:30 p.m.

Arnett also defeated Waterhouse on penaties in their Boom ‘El Classico’ $1 million preseason matchup, a game the former dominated.

Despite that, and despite Waterhouse’s one win from two starts, Rademakers is still wary of his team’s archrivals.

“The El Classico was really a preseason match. Our (opening match) performance against Cavalier was not at the level as in the El Classico match but we are ready for them,” he said.

“We have looked at the games Waterhouse played against Molynes and Montego Bay and we have a good understanding of where they are.

“But Waterhouse have some quality, experienced players even though they might bring some new players in, they do have experience on the field and at any given time if you give them the space and time, they can produce quality.

“But it is a big match, so the guys have to step up and do the things we practise.”

Arnett will also have Molynes and Montego Bay before the league breaks on November 20 for the World Cup and Rademakers said they are aiming to remain unbeaten for the period.

“The World Cup is coming up and there will be a little break and we have three matches. We want to make sure before that break we win at least two of them and go into the break unbeaten. So whoever we are playing, it will be a crucial three points. So we are looking forward to this one,” he added.

MANY POINTS AS POSSIBLE

Rademakers’ Waterhouse counterpart, Damion Gordon, said they also want to put as many points on the board before the World Cup interval and believes they have the quality, despite taking some time to get it together this season.

“We want to get as many points as possibly before the break, so after the break we don’t have to struggle. We also believe it will give a lot of confidence to our players. So we are looking for a positive performance.

“It is about approaching the game with controlled aggression and a workmanlike attitude and try to get three points,” he said.

Gordon argued that in the preseason defeat to Arnett, both teams got a glimpse of what each have to offer. But while they have been shuffling personnel to compensate for absences and departures, he thinks their opponents are more stable.

“They haven’t changed much, while we have quite a few senior players out. But we have enough potential and enough quality to give them some problems.

In the opening game at the same venue Dunbeholden play Harbour View at 3:00 p.m., while over at Stadium East, Chapelton Maroons play Cavalier, also at 3 p.m., and Molynes take on Montego Bay United at 5:30 p.m. Humble Lion play Faulkland at the Effortville Community Centre at 3 p.m.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com

Today’s Games

- Dunbeholden vs Harbour View at Tony Spaulding Sports Complex (3 p.m.)

- Waterhouse vs Arnett Gardens atTony Spaulding Sports Complex (5:30 p.m.)

- Molynes Utd vs Montego Bay at Stadium East (3 p.m.)

- Chapelton vs Cavalier at Stadium East (5:30 p.m.)

- Humble Lion vs Faulkland at Effortville Community Centre (3 p.m.)