St Catherine derby crucial to top-six placings

TODAY’S ST CATHERINE derby between last season’s beaten finalists Dunbeholden and former champions Portmore United will take on added importance with both teams trying to break into the Jamaica Premier League’s (JPL) top six.

Dunbeholden have 25 points in seventh place, one place above Portmore with a three-point advantage. That being the state of affairs, victory is the only thing on both coaches’ minds when they meet at the Jamaica College Ashenheim Stadium at 5:30 p.m.

Portmore coach Phillip Williams said the form book is out the window when these teams meet, and he is hoping his strike force, which includes Alex Marshall, Lamar Walker, and Tevin Scott, can find the spark in an otherwise low-scoring season for the St Catherine club.

“With the likes of who we have, we should be producing more in front of goal. It is about keeping consistent, and I cannot say these players aren’t trying, but we have to get it to click,” said Williams.

Even with all that firepower, Williams doesn’t think there is much between the sides, and thinks it will come down to who shows more heart on the day.

“Dunbeholden is just down the road from us and, when you play a derby, the form book goes through the window. “It is about heart and passion and winning over the Braeton and Portmore people. It is a matter of getting the three points and staying as close as possible to those in the top six and trying to displace one or two of them,” he said.

Dunbeholden has been as inconsistent as they come with as many wins as defeats (seven), along with four draws.

If that is to change, Dunbeholden coach Jermaine Thomas said the team needs to avoid lapses in concentration.

HIGH LEVEL OF CONCENTRATION

“For me, it is mental. We have to get our players to concentrate for longer periods. In all our games we play well, creating open opportunities over and over but we have not been converting and we have let in some soft ones,” he said.

He added that Portmore are organised and meticulous, meaning Dunbeholden’s focus will have to be at its highest.

“It will call for a high level of concentration right through the game,” he emphasised.

Meanwhile, at the Waterhouse Mini-Stadium, the home team entertains league leaders Mount Pleasant at 4 p.m.

Waterhouse sit in sixth on 27 points and will have an eye on Dunbeholden and Portmore breathing down their neck.

Mount Pleasant, who sit second in the league and are nine points clear of their opponents, will be eager to return to action after sitting out last week.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com

- Waterhouse vs Mount Pleasant at Waterhouse Mini-Stadium at 4 p.m.

- MoBay vs Vere at Wespow Park at 3 p.m.

- Humble Lion vs Arnett at Effortville at 3 p.m.

- Harbour View vs Tivoli at Ashenheim Stadium at 3 p.m.

- Dunbeholden vs Portmore at Ashenheim Stadium at 5:30 p.m.

- Molynes vs Chapelton at Anthony Spaulding Complex at 5 p.m.

- Faulkland vs Cavalier at Anthony Spaulding Complex at 7:30 p.m.